All my dearly beloved ones in Jesus,
“He renews my Life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake." ( Psalms 23:3 )

The Holy Gospel on this 4t Sunday after Easter is from St. Luke 24: 13-35. The Two followers of Christ ( St. Luke and Cleopas ) are recovering from their deeply discouraged and grieved moments. Remember, while both of them were banded together in their grief and pain, the LIVING CHRIST APPEARED. The walk to Emmaus is 7 miles from Jerusalem. They were talking about the events what happened from Good Friday to Easter. While they were not fully comprehend the happenings , suddenly Jesus Himself came along and joined them and began walking beside them. St. Luke 24: 19 f says: “What things? “ He asked them. so they said to Him, “ The things concerning Jesus………He said to them, “ How unwise and slow you are to believe in your hearts all that the prophets have spoken! Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer these things and enter His glory? “

I want to share two points:

1. Recover in life through a step of Faith.
The Scripture insight them and however, they were lifted from their grief to become people who would change the world. Remember, when the Living Christ is present in us , only He can calm our fears and doubts. Jesus gave them the peace and power to do all things through Christ. Our faithful life and Scriptural insights and Liturgical participation illumine as Light shining to all those living in darkness. In the Holy Qurbono we sing : “ By Your light we see the light, Jesus, full of light ( Psalm 36: 9 ), You are the True Light which enlightens creation, O Splendor of the Father, Sine Your joyous light on us. “ This is a life message and reflect ourselves the Holy Presences of God in the midst of doubting thoughts and confusion. The life of Prophet Elijah teaches how God enlighten him for his onward journey. Let us recover ourselves with life saving messages in this more different and complicated times. May God help us to project the qualities of life and helping hands in offering peace and comfort to others.

2. Life through comfortable zone.
The Power of learning from lessons is the point of recovery in life. The renewed life can emphasize confidence about the future rather than dwelling on the present. Ever day, we have lost someone to the pandemic. Our attitude of Empathy can contribute to over come the face of sadness and weakness and contribute recovery process. The life through comfortable zone is in our approach with best cosmetics I life include, Truth for lips, Sympathy for eyes, Prayer for voice, Charity and Smile for face and love for heart. In the magnificent two Pastoral Letters of Apostle Peter provides inspired counsel to believers who were facing peril, the glory of suffering for the sake of Christ, our Lord and God. This way of life through comfortable zone express our true identity in Christ and partaking in the DIVINE NATURE.

WE HAVE TO THANK God for the love and blessings in the midst of sorrow and guide us in overcoming life challenges. Is Our Life with Impossible Choice? or Our Livelihood With Impossible Choice?. Learn from life lessons and wrestle with what we do. The balancing life can lead us in green pastures and quiet waters. Listen to a bit of Relief, Peace of Mind . Who knows- where the TIME GOES?

May Almighty God help us start from Moving Forward; Learn secret of Success melted by Vigilance. I wish you a happy and sweet week.

God bless us all. Amen

With prayers,
V. Rev. Dr. Varughese Plamthottathil Chor Episcopos
Vicar and President of St. Baselios Orthodox Church, New York, U.S.A.