Today’s Gospel narrates the story of the journey of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (see Luke 24:13-35). We might wonder why they had left Jerusalem and were on that road. Had they lost hope the mission of Jesus would continue? Where they headed to Emmaus because they had “packed up” and were on their way back to former ways of life after apparent defeat brought about by Jesus’ death on the cross? Whatever the reason for their journey, Jesus appeared along the way and began to walk with them. And even though they didn’t recognize who he was, "their hearts were set on fire" as he explained the Scriptures to them. Finally, the Gospel tells us they recognized him in the “breaking of the bread.”
Like those disciples on the way to Emmaus, isn’t it true it’s not always easy for us to recognize the presence of Jesus as we focus on our goals and we busy ourselves with the activities of our daily lives? Instead, we might prefer to be distracted by them, both those positive and negative. And then, isn’t it then possible we might fail to recognize the presence of Jesus in ordinary events, and in the lives of those we meet along the way. In contrast, isn’t it true if we take the time to look and to listen, it’s possible to find him in the very simple and real things of this world? As Catholics, we certainly believe Jesus is present in the sharing of the Scriptures and in the Eucharist, “the breaking of the bread” at the Mass. Yet in addition to these important mysteries of our faith, isn’t it true we also find Jesus in the very real sharing of each other’s lives? We say Jesus is found in our community, but isn’t it true we recognize the presence of Jesus every time we engage with other people, even when outside of formal “religious” activities?
As we contemplate the Emmaus story, we might be compelled to contemplate the various ways we might “break bread” with others in our own lives. It seems to me we can “break bread” with others when we do all we can to respect and honor everything about what makes them who they are. We can “break bread” with others when we reverently share our lives with them, in things both simple and extraordinary. Of course, we “break bread” with others when we share what we have, give to those in need, and offer ourselves in service to others–especially for those who are marginalized and those who are most needy.
We say we recognize Jesus when we come to church on Sunday, when we hear the Word of God proclaimed in the Scriptures, and when we receive the Eucharist. How can this be true if we then fail to recognize Jesus in the “breaking of the bread” with others in the ordinary and everyday activities of our lives every other day of the week? As with those disciples on the way to Emmaus, doesn’t Jesus also journey with us along the way each and every day of our lives? Church: If we don’t recognize Jesus “out there,” how is it possible to truly recognize Jesus “in here”? And so, with this in mind, and as we share the Scriptures and break the bread of the Eucharist, let’s resolve to do the same out in “the world” by the way we live out there with one another. May each of us then be powerful witnesses to the presence of Jesus to all those we meet along the way!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
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