{"id":986,"date":"2016-11-18T11:18:49","date_gmt":"2016-11-18T16:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/?page_id=986"},"modified":"2022-02-24T08:51:11","modified_gmt":"2022-02-24T13:51:11","slug":"not-necessary-story-road-emmaus-advent-2016","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/not-necessary-story-road-emmaus-advent-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Was it Not Necessary? The Story of the Road to Emmaus &#8211; Advent 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div align=\"center\" class=\"youtube-responsive-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WuPEdsqjiQ8?rel=0&amp;modestbranding=1\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Scott goes through the story of the Road to Emmaus and shares his insights, interpretations and how we can see this story as a great inspiration to remind us of the importance of the cross. He encourages us to actively take part of the sacraments to build a closer and more meaningful relationship with God.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you for watching and participating in this retreat!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Not Registered, yet? Don\u2019t miss the rest of the talks! Register for the Pray More Retreat!&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" href=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/2016-lent-retreat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Click Here to Register!<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">Downloads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Audio MP3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/07%20-%20Scott%20Powell%20-%20Was%20it%20not%20necessary_%20The%20Story%20of%20the%20Road%20to%20Emmaus.mp3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Click&nbsp;here&nbsp;to download audio file.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Printable Study Guide PDF<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Was-it-Not-Necessary-Study-Guide.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Click here to download the printable study guide.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Printable Transcript PDF<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Was-it-Not-Necessary-Transcript.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Click here to download the transcript of the video presentation.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">Reflective Study Guide Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>When the two disciples were speaking to Jesus, before recognizing Him, they were so downcast, disappointed and let-down. They said, \u201cWe had hoped.\u201d They had hoped that Jesus was going to redeem them. Can you think of certain things in your life that you had hoped Jesus would do in a certain way, but didn\u2019t? What are those things? Instead of what you had hoped would happen, what did happen?<br><br><\/li><li>Now recognizing those things, think back to what Jesus said to those disciples. \u201cHow foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?\u201d&#8230; Essentially, Jesus asks, \u201cWas it not necessary?\u201d As hard as it may be, can you begin to understand how God may have allowed certain things to play out in your life because it was necessary &#8212; necessary to shape you into the person you were created to become, necessary to bring you closer to Jesus, necessary to sanctify you?<br><br><\/li><li>When the disciples were disappointed and sad &#8212; heartbroken, even, that\u2019s when Jesus goes to meet them. He goes to find them. When you are disappointed, sad, and heartbroken, Jesus comes to meet you and find you then too. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. Cling to this truth the next time you are feeling doubtful. And say this prayer: \u201cGod, I trust you. I trust that it\u2019s necessary that I face these things, and I know that I don\u2019t have to face them alone because I know that you walk right beside me whether I see you or not &#8212; I know and I trust that you\u2019re there.\u201d<br><br><\/li><li>It\u2019s not until the disciples were sharing in the Holy Eucharist with Jesus that they recognize Him. When was the last time you recognized Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist, truly acknowledged His presence as you receive His body and blood? Each time we receive the Eucharist, we are being brought from darkness to life. Our eyes go from seeing sin, destruction, and all that is wrong in the world to seeing life, forgiveness and redemption. When was the last time you went to Mass and allowed Jesus to open your eyes to the light? Focus on that light the next time you receive the Eucharist, and cling to it when you inevitably face your trials later in the day or later that week.<br><br><\/li><li>What are the things in your life that you have to look at and accept as necessary so that they can be used to shape you into the man or woman you are meant to be? Are there things that you have previously believed \u201cescaped God\u2019s sight?\u201d How does it change things to now know that God is in control of *all* of it? How does that change your life, how you suffer, how you live, how you interact with others? \u201cWe have a God who is concerned with taking those crosses and making them glorious &#8212; looking at us in the eyes and saying, \u201cWas it not necessary that you suffered under those things, that you dealt with those issues and that you had those relationships so I could build you into the man or the woman that I want you to be &#8212; after my own heart? This is how saints are forged. We don\u2019t know the mind of God. We don\u2019t know why God allows some things to happen and doesn\u2019t allow other things to happen; why He allows certain evils to perpetuate themselves in the world\u2026 but I do believe in a God who is in control of all of it &#8212; nothing escapes his sight.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">Text: The Story of the Road to Emmaus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color\">Well, hello everybody. My name is Scott and today I want to talk to you about one of my favorite <a href=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/facing-goliaths-famous-old-testament-story-weve-never-heard-lent-2018\/\">stories in the New Testament<\/a>. The story of the Road to Emmaus. I love the story of the Road to Emmaus because I think it is emblematic of the whole of the Christian life. It tells us about discipleship, it tells us about suffering, what it means to be let down and disappointed. It teaches us who Christ is and who he wants to be in our lives. So, I\u2019m going to spend a few minutes kind of taking this apart and seeing what it has to say to us. Before we do that, let\u2019s open with a quick prayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Opening Prayer<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color\"><em>In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. <a href=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/the-genealogy-of-jesus-and-why-it-matters-advent-2020\/\">Jesus<\/a>, thank you for the gift of Your Word. Thank You for the gift of Your <a href=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/bible-101-a-crash-course-in-scripture-part-ii-advent-2018\/\">scriptures<\/a>. We pray that we may study Your Word well and figure out how to apply it to our lives. Please be with all of the people who are listening and watching this. Please be with all those who are preparing through this retreat for Advent. Be in my words. Please help me to not say anything that is outside of Your Will. And we pray all these things through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Putting Ourselves In The Cultural Shoes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, the story of the Road to Emmaus may be something that you\u2019re familiar with. Maybe your remember hearing it at mass. Maybe you\u2019ve studied it before. But regardless, I want to try to look at this with new eyes. One of the things we know is to really understand the scriptures, to get into what God has to teach us we need to put ourselves in the shoes of the original audience. The people who were taking part in these things. The people who were reading this stuff for the first time. Put ourselves in the cultural place; the cultural shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, the story of the Road to Emmaus comes at the very end of the Gospel of Luke. It\u2019s in Luke chapter 24 and I want to pick it up in verse 13. Here\u2019s what it says: [Luke] Chapter 24:13 <em>\u201cThat very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus about seven miles from Jerusalem.\u201d<\/em> Okay, let\u2019s pause there. There are a couple of things that we need to look into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cThat very day two of them were g<\/em>oing\u201d. What day is it? Well, if you read a couple verses before Luke points out to you that \u201cThat very day\u201d is the first day of the week. It\u2019s Sunday. But it\u2019s not just any Sunday, it\u2019s Easter Sunday and it is The Easter Sunday. This is the day of the Resurrection. This is one of the most interesting moments in all of Christian history because it\u2019s at this moment that Jesus has risen from the dead. The Resurrection has happened but nobody knows about it yet. They\u2019re confused. Nobody knows what\u2019s actually going on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color\">You remember the stories going on at the beginning of Easter Sunday. The women went to the tomb and they found that Jesus\u2019 body wasn\u2019t there and they talked to angels. But, everybody is kinda confused about everything that\u2019s going on. So at that moment these two disciples, followers of <a href=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/encountering-christ-within-advent-2018\/\">Jesus<\/a>, are going away from Jerusalem to this place called Emmaus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, the first day of the week. That, for the Jewish listeners, would have certain connotations. Days of the week had meaning to them. You know the most important Jewish day of the week is the sabbath. The seventh day. The day that God rested from His work of creations. So, they were called to rest as well. But, what about the first day of the week? What happened on the first day of the week? Well, on the first day of the week in the Jewish mindset would\u2019ve evoked images of creation [from] the creation story. And what does God create on the first day of the week way back in Genesis? Well, he separates light from the darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Light and Dark<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Light from darkness. That\u2019s a theme that\u2019s going to run through this story. Light and dark. So, on the day of the Resurrection, the day where we think about light and darkness two disciples of Jesus are going to Emmaus which is seven miles from Jerusalem. <em>\u201cAnd they were talking with each other about all that had happened. And while they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and he went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.\u201d Luke 24:14-16<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You could say that their eyes were darkened. Right? These are two people. We don\u2019t know much about them. But, they\u2019ve been following Jesus. They\u2019re presumably disciples. Maybe they\u2019ve given up something to follow him. Maybe they\u2019ve been around for a couple of years. We don\u2019t know. But something about this scene is striking. They don\u2019t recognize the Jesus who they\u2019ve been following for some time. Which is very striking. So, they don\u2019t recognize him. Their eyes are closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And he goes and he says, it\u2019s verse 17: <em>\u201cHe said to them, \u2018What is this conversation which you hold with each other as you walk?\u2019 and they stood still looking sad. One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, \u2018Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem that doesn\u2019t know the things that have happened there in these days?\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, what\u2019s the irony in that sentence? \u201cAre you the only visitor to Jerusalem that doesn\u2019t know what\u2019s happened?\u201d The irony, of course, is that Jesus is the only one that does know what\u2019s happened! Nobody yet realized what\u2019s going on except Jesus. So, [Luke\u2019s] having some fun with us. Right? And Jesus then kind of plays with them. It\u2019s verse 19: <em>\u201cHe said to them, \u2018What things?\u2019 And they say, \u2018Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death and they crucified him but we had hoped that he would be the one to redeem Israel\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe had hoped\u201d The most striking thing about that sentence is that it\u2019s in the past tense. We had hoped. We used to hope. We don\u2019t hope anymore. They had given up. They\u2019ve lost hope and now they\u2019re walking away. It says, <em>\u201c&#8230; And yes besides this, it is now the third day since this has happened.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Familiar Striking Scene<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>You know, in the Jewish and Roman world, three days. What\u2019s the significance of three days? Right? Well, to declare somebody legally dead, to give a death certificate the person had to have been dead for three days. The medical system wasn\u2019t what it is today and there was a chance of a mistake. There was a chance that someone came back to life or resuscitated or something. They figured after three days the person is really dead. So, at this point they realize, yeah Jesus is really dead. He ain\u2019t coming back. And so they are walking away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That image is so striking! These two people walking away from Jerusalem. Well, what\u2019s in Jerusalem? Well, in Jerusalem are the apostles, the fledgeling Church such as it is, who are struggling themselves. But you have this image of two people walking away from the Church disappointed. Two people walking away from the Church having been let down. How many people do you know in your life who have walked away from the Church because they felt let down? Or hurt? Or disappointed? Or somehow abandoned? Disappointed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s a fascinating scene, I know so many people like that, that the scene should kind of break our hearts. But Jesus goes to meet them. He goes to find them. It says in verse 22: <em>\u201cMoreover some of our company amazed us. There were some women who went to the tomb early and they didn\u2019t find his body. They came back saying they saw a vision of angels who said that he was alive. So some of those who were with us (we know it\u2019s Peter and John) they went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see. And Jesus answered them, \u2018O foolish ones and slow of heart to believe all the prophets had spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Not Seeing Him<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>What do we know about these people so far? So far we know that they are disciples. That they had hoped in Jesus. That they had followed him, maybe they gave something up for the sake of following him. They\u2019re pretty disappointed now. And they are leaving Jerusalem to go to Emmaus. Maybe they live in Emmaus or maybe they\u2019re just staying there for the Passover. Do we know anything else about them? Well, we know one other thing. We know that one of them is named Cleopas. Who the heck is the other one? Well, it doesn\u2019t say explicitly but one of my favorite things about the Bible is that the Bible loves to interpret itself. Often times when you have a question or something confusing comes up in the Bible you can find the answer some place else in the Bible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color\">So, here on Easter Sunday Cleopas and someone else are walking home or walking to wherever it is they\u2019re staying. In the <a href=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/the-good-news-ization-part-ii-healing-2020\/\">Gospel<\/a> of John, John tells you on Good Friday (a couple of days prior) at the foot of the cross watching Jesus as he\u2019s crucified there are a couple people there who John names. We know that Mary was there, the <a href=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/our-blessed-mother-mary-her-suffering-and-ours-healing-2019\/\">Blessed Mother<\/a>. We know that John the beloved Apostle was there. Mary Magdalene was there and there was also someone there named Mary, the wife of Cleopas. Mary, the wife of Cleopas. On Good Friday there was a woman named Mary, the wife of Cleopas, at the cross and now on Sunday Cleopas is walking home with someone. Who\u2019s he walking home with? Well, it\u2019s probably his wife! Presumably, this is a couple. A man and a woman. A husband and a wife. Walking away from Jerusalem having been let down by Jesus and by the Church. It is a striking image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And Jesus calls them foolish because they are slow of heart to believe all the prophets had spoken. He says, \u201cWas it not necessary that all these things happen?\u201d And it says in verse 27: <em>\u201cBeginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things that concern himself.\u201d<\/em> And we know in the teaching of the Church that everything in the Old Testament concerns Jesus. The whole New Testament is concealed in the Old. And the Old is revealed in the New. So, essentially, Jesus explains everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Their Eyes Were Opened<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine being on a walk for 7 miles (a couple hours) with Jesus able to answer any and every question you\u2019ve ever had. To explain everything! He gives the best homily, the best bible study anyone has ever heard before and at the end of it their eyes are still darkened. They still don\u2019t see Him. They still don\u2019t recognize him. Until verse 28. Then it says, <em>\u201cThey drew near to the village in which they were going but he appeared to be going further. But they constrained him (literally in Greek it means \u201cthey held onto him\u201d because they didn\u2019t want him to go) saying, \u201cStay with us, for it is now toward evening and the day is far spent.\u201d So he went in to stay with them. And when he was at table with them, he took the bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Receiving the Eucharist<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not until they sit down and share the Eucharist, they sit down for the Lord\u2019s Supper. We know it\u2019s the Eucharist because these are the exact same words that Luke used earlier to describe the Last Supper. When Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to them. You know, if you noticed it, this is is actually where we get the structure of the mass. Where we hear the scriptures proclaimed. We have a homily about those scriptures. And then we sit and gather around the Eucharistic table together. This is where the mass comes from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, there\u2019s something striking here. The greatest homily in the world does not open their eyes. The greatest bible study, the greatest conference in the world does not reveal to them the fullness of who Jesus is. It\u2019s not until they receive the Eucharist that they get it. Now, imagine this. This is for all intents and purposes the end of the Bible. The end of the biblical story. We still have all of Paul\u2019s letters and the epistles and everything else. But really, those are a commentary on the scriptural story. This is the end of the story of Jesus. And Acts of the Apostles will show how the Church continues to fulfill that stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Parallel Ends<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color\">But the very beginning of the Bible, on the other end, you have a very distinct problem that shows up. At the beginning of the Bible you have a husband and a wife. A man and a woman who eat something and their eyes are opened. You know, Adam and Eve out of disobedience to <a href=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/when-god-asks-us-to-be-little-the-little-way-healing-2018\/\">God ate the fruit of the tree that He asked<\/a> them not to eat. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil. And the eyes are opened. To what? Well, to death, to chaos, to sin, to destruction, to everything bad in the world. Right? And here at the other end of the story. You have another husband and a wife. Another man and a woman who eat something and their eyes are opened. Not to death and chaos and sin but to life and forgiveness and redemption. They are brought from darkness to light through the reception of the Eucharist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Fruit of The Tree of Life<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color\">You know the Fathers of the Church, some of the ancient saints, they <a href=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/the-joy-to-be-loved-healing-2020\/\">loved<\/a> digging through this passage. And they said, <a href=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/waiting-well-making-advent-advent-2017\/\">well wait<\/a> a second, Jesus (you may have heard it said) hung on a tree. Sometimes the cross is called a tree. And they said, well if the cross is like a tree and Jesus hung on it then Jesus is like the fruit of a new tree. The fruit of the tree of life. Which a new kind of Adam and Eve eat and their eyes are opened. The problem of scripture, the problem of salvation history is solved in the same way that it began. God is consistent. God cares for us. And the scriptures interpret themselves. The story comes full circle which is beautiful! And then these disciples go back and tell everybody what they learned. The mark of a true disciple. To go back and actually call others into discipleship. It\u2019s a great moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Was It Not Necessary?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>But, there\u2019s something that happens even before that. That I just want to say a word about because this for me is the most disturbing line in the passage and it\u2019s back in verse 26 when Jesus is speaking to them on the road. And he says, <em>\u201cWas it not necessary that the Christ should suffer all these things and enter into his glory?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color\">Was it not necessary? If you\u2019re this couple you gotta be thinking, \u201cHow did it come to this? How did we get to this point that the guy that we were following. The one that we put all of our hope in, he\u2019s hanging on a cross. He\u2019s dead!\u201d And Jesus says no, no, no, \u201cWas it not necessary?\u201d. I mean, we don\u2019t have a <a href=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/purifying-our-faith-advent-2020\/\">faith<\/a> where Jesus wound up on the cross thinking, \u201cGeeze! How did I end up here? What went wrong?\u201d. He knows exactly what he\u2019s doing but too often we believe in a kind of God who sort of a God of silver linings. Who will bring some goodness out of dark things. Cloud\u2019s silver linings. Right? We talk about that <a href=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/strange-ways-god-heals-sufferings-advent-2016\/\">God way<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s not the kind of God that I want to believe in. I don\u2019t want to believe in a God who just lets evil perpetuate in the world and then steps in once in a while to bring some good out of it. I hope that I stand before God someday at the judgment seat and He\u2019ll look at me and He\u2019ll look at my life and He\u2019ll say, \u201cScott, all those things that you suffered, the crosses that you carried, the baggage that you dragged around was it not necessary that you suffered those things so that I can make you into the man that I want you to be?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All of the things that you carry around, all of those things that you\u2019ve suffered, all those little crosses that you carry in your life. We don\u2019t have a God who is concerned with just wiping them away and forgetting about them. We have a God who is concerned with taking those crosses and making them glorious. Looking us in the eyes and saying, \u201cWas it not necessary that you suffered those things? That you dealt with those issues? That you had those relationships so that I could build you into the man or woman that I want you to be after my own heart?\u201d This is how saints are forged. We don\u2019t know the mind of God. I don\u2019t know why God allows some things to happen and doesn\u2019t allow other things to happen. Why He allows certain evils to perpetuate themselves in the world. But I do believe in a God that is in control of all of it. Nothing escapes His sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color\">Sometimes we live our lives as though God has forgotten about us. Or isn\u2019t paying attention. Or that somehow at the end of the day we don\u2019t know if good or evil is going to win. And we forget that Jesus has actually conquered evil once and for all. Whether or not the world looks like it we have to remind ourselves; no, <a href=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/renewing-covenant-god-lent-lent-2018\/\">God<\/a> has allowed this because He\u2019s in control. And he\u2019s going to look at me one day and He\u2019s going to say, \u201cWas it not necessary?\u201d What are those things in your life that you have to come to grips with and say, \u201cWow! Maybe this is necessary that I suffer these things so that I can become holier. So that I can become the man or woman that God wants me to be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">We Need To Access The Sacraments<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color\">How do we find those things? How do we see those things for what they are? Well, the story makes it clear. We have to receive Jesus\u2019 body and blood. We have to access the sacraments. I need to go to mass! Every day! Every Sunday at least! So that every Sunday, every week, every day my eyes can be opened once again. Because if I don\u2019t access those sacraments I\u2019m gonna fall back into the beginning of this story. My eyes are gonna get darkened again. I\u2019m going to lose my way. But as much as I receive Jesus. As much as I walk with him hear his word and take his body into my body my eyes can be opened every single day and that\u2019s what he wants of us. Because that\u2019s what will make our lives make sense. That\u2019s what will allow us the <a href=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/sharing-gods-graces-christian-friendship\/\">grace<\/a> and the courage to take the next step every day and say, \u201cGod, I trust You. I trust that it\u2019s necessary that I face these things and I know that I don\u2019t have to face them alone because I know that You walk right beside me. Whether I see You or not, I know and trust that You are there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks so much everybody. Let\u2019s close with a Glory Be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Glory Be<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Glory Be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be world without end, Amen. In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">About Dr. Scott Powell<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:24% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"310\" height=\"382\" src=\"http:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Scott-Powell-Headshot-1.jpg\" alt=\"scott-powell-headshot\" class=\"wp-image-965 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Scott-Powell-Headshot-1.jpg 310w, https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Scott-Powell-Headshot-1-243x300.jpg 243w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/speaker-dr-scott-powell\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Dr. Scott Powell<\/strong> <\/a>is a teacher and Director of the Aquinas Institute for Catholic Thought, an outreach to the University of Colorado in Boulder. He has also been an adjunct professor at Denver&#8217;s Augustine Institute and has spent the last decade teaching theology and the Scriptures to groups of all ages. He and his wife Annie are the directors and founders of <a href=\"http:\/\/camp-w.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Camp Wojtyla<\/a>, a Catholic adventure program for youth, based in the Colorado Rockies. Scott also co-hosts and produces the popular Catholic podcast, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.lankyguys.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cThe Word on the Hill with the Lanky Guys\u201d<\/a>. He holds a PhD in Catholic Studies from Maryvale Institute\/Liverpool Hope University in England. Scott, his wife Annie, and two children, Lily Avila and Samuel Isaac, live near Boulder, Colorado.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"http:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/was-it-not-necessary-the-story-of-the-road-to-emmaus-image.jpg\" alt=\"was-it-not-necessary-the-story-of-the-road-to-emmaus-image\" class=\"wp-image-954\" srcset=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/was-it-not-necessary-the-story-of-the-road-to-emmaus-image.jpg 800w, https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/was-it-not-necessary-the-story-of-the-road-to-emmaus-image-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/was-it-not-necessary-the-story-of-the-road-to-emmaus-image-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/was-it-not-necessary-the-story-of-the-road-to-emmaus-image-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"701\" height=\"316\" src=\"http:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/The-Pray-More-Retreat-image.jpg\" alt=\"the-pray-more-retreat-image\" class=\"wp-image-969\" srcset=\"https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/The-Pray-More-Retreat-image.jpg 701w, https:\/\/praymoreretreat.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/The-Pray-More-Retreat-image-300x135.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 701px) 100vw, 701px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summary Scott goes through the story of the Road to Emmaus and shares his insights, interpretations and how we can see this story as a great inspiration to remind us of the importance of the cross. He encourages us to actively take part of the sacraments to build a closer and more meaningful relationship with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":954,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"plain-container","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Was it Not Necessary? 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