“Eternal life is less about a kind of time that starts when we die, and more about a quality and vitality of life now in connection to God.” – Rob Bell, Love Wins

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Listen to the PODCAST version of Today’s Contemplation by clicking HERE.

Listen to my song “Salvation” YouTube by clicking HERE.

My albums and books Mercy Reigns & Listen to Your Heart are available for purchase HERE. Also available on Amazon.

Thank you!

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Luke 24:35

Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

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Today’s scripture quote is from the account of two followers of Jesus who had fled Jerusalem after the crucifixion.

They were numb as they walked on the road to the town of Emmaus.

They couldn’t believe that the man whom they had such high hopes of being the one to redeem Israel was brutally killed.

This is when a mysterious stranger joins them on their journey.

They tell this man how several women from their group had reported an empty tomb and that they had seen a “vision of angels who had announced that he was alive.”

Of course, another Gospel reports that Mary Magdalene actually met the risen Jesus.

Note the importance of the women in this story and the subsequent erasure of their importance in the years that followed.

But I digress.

The mysterious man explains to these two bewildered men how scriptures had prepared them for Jesus.

Then at table, the man blesses and breaks the bread, and gives it to them.

That’s when the scripture says they recognized him.

This is far from a resuscitated corpse.

They recognize Jesus when their hearts were burning while he spoke.

And then this mysterious manifestation of Jesus vanishes.

But now the two men are invigorated and return to Jerusalem to tell the story.

They are no longer afraid.

They realized that death is just a transformative step into new life.

There is no death!

Love is victorious.

And just like the bread, we are blessed, broken, and given to be this life-giving message to the world.

All people and all of creation belongs…just-as-it-is.

It is all loved and destined for life eternal right now.

Now.

Amen.

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Listen to the song of the day “Salvation” on the Live to Love album by clicking HERE.

Purchase my albums/CDs and books by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!