Conversations on the Road
- Hector Garfias-Toledo
- May 13
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 16
Dialogue & Reflections on the Sunday Scripture Passages
In one of my visits to a congregation on the south side of Chicago, I had a conversation with a young man. He shared with me that he had reconnected with a congregation after many years of wondering and wandering. The reason for his spiritual wandering was his experience at a church where he was not allowed to ask questions or wrestle with the scripture passages.
The reason he was attending Bible study at the congregation I visited was because there, space was made for people to wrestle, reflect, and ask questions.
One of the traditional passages in the season of Easter is the story of the road to Emmaus. In the story, two disciples wander, wonder, and ask questions. Their disappointment and grief prevent them from seeing the presence of Jesus in the midst of their lives and even in their grief.
In other parts of scripture, we find stories where even the giants of the faith ask questions, wrestle with God’s word, and even challenge God and Jesus as they try to understand what God was saying to them and calling them to be.
For that reason, I want us to spend some time practicing asking questions and being curious—and to listen for the Spirit’s voice through sermons that will take the form of dialogue and conversation. Think of the conversations with Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, the Canaanite woman, and many others. They wrestled with God’s good news.
For several Sundays this summer, we will have heart-to-heart, honest dialogues between the pastor and members of the congregation, who I will invite to sit with me during the sermon time. We will begin on May 18.
The purpose is to create a space to reflect on the scriptures in real time, taking a different approach to dive deeply into the gospel message. We will bring our real questions, wonderings, and wanderings—as we each walk our own road to Emmaus.
I invite you to be open to the surprising ways in which the Spirit works. You may discover the many ways that Jesus has already been having a conversation with you on your own road to Emmaus.
—Pastor Hector
Past Conversations
May 18, 2025
"Even When We Can't"
Rachel Tobin & Pastor Hector
June 8, 2025
"Voices of the Spirit"
LNC/TLCS Engagmenet Team & Pastor Hector
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