By Laurie Schmitt

 

 

“Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus,
about seven miles from Jerusalem.”
~ Luke 24:13

 

It seems like Jesus is sneaking up behind his disciples and catching them by surprise as they walk to Emmaus, but he’s not traveling incognito. It’s just that they’re so preoccupied and self-absorbed, disappointed and confused by the recent turn of events, that they don’t recognize him. Jesus butts into their conversation, saying, “So, what are you two talking about? What’s bothering you so much?”

“Don’t you know?” they ask. Of course, Jesus knows, but he wants to hear it from them.

Seeing but Not Knowing

They look him in the eyes but still don’t see him. “We thought things would turn out differently,” they say, “We put all of our hope in Him… but it’s been three days now.”

As they walk, Jesus talks of the Scriptures, linking the old prophecies with the recent events. Their hearts burn, their minds begin to clear, and their souls rise within them as he speaks, but they still aren’t aware that he is who he is, that he is Jesus, who they are looking and longing for. They beg Him to stay, and He continues, helping them to piece together the Old Testament prophecies, but the New Covenant reality is not fully realized until the breaking of the bread. It hit like a lightning flash. Their eyes are open.

Sometimes our journey replicates this scene. We are so worried and confused that we forget that Jesus is ever present, readily accessible, wanting to walk with us, and eager for a heart-to-heart. Revival times and survival tools are simultaneous requirements for keeping the faith.

By meditating on Sacred Scripture and walking with like-minded Christians, we meet Christ. Where do we see him? In living sacramentally, especially in the Eucharistic sacrifice of the mass. In the breaking of the bread.

 

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the gift of the Eucharist! Open my eyes and heart, and help me to see You in the breaking of the bread.

Call to Action

This week, while at mass, especially after receiving the Eucharist, pray the Anima Christi or a simple prayer of thanksgiving, and pray for all who take His gift for granted. Rejoice! Christ gave himself for us, and remains with us in the Blessed Sacrament!

 

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