And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them.
This Sunday’s Gospel passage from Saint Luke is my favorite account of the risen Jesus. I would like to share a few reasons as to why I think this encounter with the Resurrected Christ can offer post-Easter direction to us.
Clarity in Chaos – The account begins with these two unnamed disciples leaving Jerusalem amidst the drama of the death of Jesus and the mysterious reports of his resurrection. Throughout Luke’s Gospel, Jesus has been journeying toward Jerusalem in anticipation of the climactic moment of his passion. Here we find these two disciples seemingly getting out of the city as quickly as they could.
It is a natural instinct to run away from what we fear, what is painful and what causes anxiety. Yet what is more appropriate and beneficial is to seek companionship and accompaniment. These two disciples walk together, openly discussing their confusion and their fear, and thus they form a community. Through the formation of that community, the unrecognized Jesus becomes present. He listens to them and brings clarity to the chaos. As he reflects on the teachings of Moses and the prophets, they are consoled as the plan of God is revealed to them.
In moments of chaos and crisis, we are strengthened by the companionship and accompaniment of family and friends. We are hopeful because as we share the events of our life with each other, there is Christ in our midst.
Stay with Us – Having had this moment of lucidity, the disciples ask the stranger to stay with them. He has brought them some peace, but they are not ready to let go of him. I think of the many times in life I did not want a visit with a friend or a family member to end – not necessarily because of anything that was said or done, but simply because of the joy it was to be in the presence of someone I cared about, who also cared about me. This desire for the presence of one who knows us and loves us for who we are is ultimately a desire for Christ. It is what we are seeking in our moments of prayer and adoration.
Eyes Were Opened – Jesus only becomes recognizable to these disciples when he does the familiar act of taking, blessing and breaking the bread in front of them. In a gesture that had perhaps become commonplace for them, they come to recognize who has been with them. This is most certainly a Eucharistic gesture, one that we ourselves can easily recognize. As we engage in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, we ought to ask if Holy Mass has become commonplace, routine or even taken for granted in our life.
From Broken Hearts to Burning Hearts – As the newly-recognized Jesus Christ is revealed to these disciples, he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” With burning hearts, they speedily make their way back to Jerusalem and recount to the apostles what had happened to them and how Christ was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. This becomes the apostolic format for the missionary life of the church. Those who were fearful and persecuted do not run away from the pain but face it, head on, with burning and joyful hearts.
Much has been written about the number of people who came into the church at Easter and how mass attendance has increased overall. My hope is that as a result, we will have many Emmaus moments, and our hearts will be burning with a desire for Christ and the desire to share our hope in the Risen Christ with others.
Accompanying each other and uniting ourselves via our faith experiences, awaken us to the presence of Christ – Christ who not only helps us make sense of the chaos and confusion but enlivens and emboldens us to proclaim the good news to those who long to hear it.
75th ANNIVERSARY PLANNING – Please see the two-page questionnaire in today’s bulletin. I appreciate you taking the time to offer your input. The questionnaire can also be found here bit.ly/SROL75-ideas.
LECTOR AND EXTRAORDINARY MINISTER OF THE HOLY EUCHARISTIC TRAINING – Please see the full-page information sheet in today’s bulletin detailing the upcoming training sessions. Our parish is very much in need of new liturgical ministers. Your availability to serve in these ministries will be considered. Please consider assisting our growing parish community and its celebration of Holy Mass.
JOB POSTING – Our parish is seeking to hire a Business Manager for the parish and school. Candidates with a College degree or appropriate certifications and experience in accounting, bookkeeping and payroll management or equivalent experience are preferred. The full posting and application information can be found at https://tinyurl.com/SROL-JOBS.
Peace!
