Word to the Wise
Sunday, April 30, 2017 - 3rd Sunday of Easter - A
[Acts 2:14, 22-33; 1 Pet 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35]And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but 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?" [Luke]
SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 2017 THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
[Acts 2:14, 22-33; 1 Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35]
And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but 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?" [Luke]
This wonderful story about the disciples on the road to Emmaus is a model for us all. It is true that our circumstances are somewhat different. After all, they were headed back to their old way of life after suffering the loss of their hope when Jesus was crucified. We are living more than 2000 years later. Why couldn't they have "recognized" Jesus when he joined them on the road? It is clear that Jesus had to be seen with eyes of faith after the resurrection. Physical sight was not enough. The physical Jesus was transformed and his transformation meant (and still means) transformation for us as well.
The scriptures and the breaking of the bread are the fundamental elements of our celebration of the Eucharist. It is true that considerable improvement needs to be made to the first part in terms of preaching in our church. But we can all read and ponder the scriptures not only for a particular day but as a regular spiritual practice. What the story tells us, however, is that Christ is truly present in the scriptures as well as in the breaking of the bread. Eucharistic devotion, in the form of adoration chapels in so many churches, seems strong to me. What is less clear is our understanding of what we are doing when we "go to communion." Are we "recognizing" Jesus as the one who accompanies us on the way? Do we change directions and go to proclaim his resurrection? In the celebration of the Eucharist, we say, "We proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess your resurrection, until you come again." Where are we on the road to Emmaus? Can we turn around and join the centuries of disciples before us, recognizing and proclaiming? AMEN
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