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| The Kitchen Maid with the Supper at Emmaus |
Also Pastor Steve preached that his congregation's name, which he served for many years in Oregon, was named Emmaus, so it had a deep resonance for him. He often encouraged that congregation when they were asked what Emmaus means to just tell the story.
This gospel story extends beyond those who are normally populate it in our imagination. The Valázquez here comments on power and social class — and our ability — or inability — to see Jesus and the transformative possibilities of resurrection.Is it possible for us to miss Jesus out of fear, anxiety, or the rage we may experience in the news we may currently be consuming daily? How does the addition of the Black maid reshape the meaning of the Emmaus story?
Denise Levertov wrote a poem about this that fills me with different emotions today
She listens, listens, holding her breath.
Surely that voice
is his — the one
who had looked at her, once,
across the crowd, as no one ever had looked?
Had seen her?
Had spoken as if to her?
Surely those hands were his,
taking the platter of bread from hers just now?
Hands he’d laid on the dying and made them well?
Surely that face — ?
The man they’d crucified for sedition and blasphemy.
The man whose body disappeared from its tomb.
The man it was rumored now some women had seen this morning,
alive?
Those who had brought this stranger home to their table
don’t recognize yet with whom they sit.
But she in the kitchen,
absently touching the wine jug she’s to take in,
a young Black servant intently listening,
swings round and sees
the light around him
and is sure.
— Denise Levertov, “The Servant Girl at Emmaus”
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