While listening to the gospel of the Emmaus episode, it occured to me: What if the whole finale of Jesus' story were to take place in a totally nondescript place? Jerusalem, as is today, back then too, was at the heart of the Jewish society. Any and every event therein was bound to be known and talked about.
Among the first things the disciples walking to Emmaus ask Jesus is 'Don't you know what has been happening in Jerusalem?' That's an obvious and surprising question given the fact that everyone knows and is talking about the death of Jesus in Jerusalem. It is like someone today, asking 'what is corona virus?'
What if, like it happens very much in our times, Jesus were to be abducted by those who hated him and what he did in public; tortured and then bumped him off in some remote place, unknown to anyone? No public trial. No journey to Calvary. No crucifixion in the open. Just plain disappearance. Not even does anyone of those involved in his kidnapping and murder try to circulate any rumours or theories - that would only increase speculation and search for truth. Mere silence! It is only those closest to him, Mother Mary, the apostles and those travelling with him that keep searching for him. Asking about his whereabouts, having no clue what happened to him. How would Christianity been moulded in such a context? Would there at all be a religion called Christianity, arising from such a situation?
(Dedicated to the memory of those who silently but zealously work for the common good, often ending up paying very high personal costs - and even in death, continue to remain unknown!)
Among the first things the disciples walking to Emmaus ask Jesus is 'Don't you know what has been happening in Jerusalem?' That's an obvious and surprising question given the fact that everyone knows and is talking about the death of Jesus in Jerusalem. It is like someone today, asking 'what is corona virus?'
What if, like it happens very much in our times, Jesus were to be abducted by those who hated him and what he did in public; tortured and then bumped him off in some remote place, unknown to anyone? No public trial. No journey to Calvary. No crucifixion in the open. Just plain disappearance. Not even does anyone of those involved in his kidnapping and murder try to circulate any rumours or theories - that would only increase speculation and search for truth. Mere silence! It is only those closest to him, Mother Mary, the apostles and those travelling with him that keep searching for him. Asking about his whereabouts, having no clue what happened to him. How would Christianity been moulded in such a context? Would there at all be a religion called Christianity, arising from such a situation?
(Dedicated to the memory of those who silently but zealously work for the common good, often ending up paying very high personal costs - and even in death, continue to remain unknown!)
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