Reflection for Sunday 04/6/08
READINGS
First Reading: Acts 2:14, 22-28
Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-21
Gospel: Luke 24:13-35
REFLECTION:
St. Luke describes the men walking to Emmaus as disciples of Jesus. So it’s puzzling that they didn’t recognize Jesus when he joined them. They had seen Jesus many times. They had heard him preach, witnessed him perform miracles, and may have had private conversations with him. Yet they didn’t realize that he was Jesus until he broke bread with them at the evening meal. And only then did they realize what it meant when earlier their hearts were “burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scripture to us…“ Isn’t this what happens to us? Sometimes in the midst of difficulties we feel abandoned. Or when things are going well we take all the credit. But as time passes we look back and realize that we have not been alone on our journey. Jesus has been supporting and loving us through it all. We may even identify moments of grace that we had taken for granted. Can we somehow open our heart to Jesus’ presence in our daily life? Can we recognize him more clearly in the Eucharist?
1. In what way have you come to know Jesus better through the breaking of the bread at Eucharist?
2. When you join Jesus at the table of the Eucharist next Sunday, what would you like to thank him for?
PRAYER:
Stir up in me, dear Lord, a heightened awareness of your presence in my life and a deepened gratefulness for your loving care. Amen