When we read the Emmaus story what strikes
us as amazing is not that the two disciples finally recognize Jesus, but that
they fail to do so in the first place. Jesus told them over and over again what
would happen to them and Him but they did not get it. We know the end of the
story and wonder how the two disciples could fail to recognize such an obvious
conclusion. Yet how often in our lives do we fail to recognize the presence of
Christ?
Jesus wants to communicate with us and he
speaks to us and is truly present in the Scriptures. More specifically, Jesus
is present among us in all our celebrations, secular and liturgical but
especially in the Eucharist. Jesus as Word and Eucharist is our food for our
pilgrimage to our true home. In the breaking of bread he unites us together
with each other, the Christian community, into his Body and also keeps his
promise to be with us till the end of time.
The disappearance of the Risen Jesus at the
moment of the breaking of the bread with the two disciples is a particularly
important moment. He intended to live on in the world through his disciples and
therefore he transformed them and he does the same to us in order that we be
his messengers in the world of today.
Finally, “The Emmaus Journey” begins in
blindness, gloom, disillusionment and despair. It ends with the warming of the
disciples' hearts, the opening of their eyes, and their return to Jerusalem full
of joy and new hope. Their encounter with the Risen Jesus had made them see the
events in Jerusalem from a new perspective - God's. Instead of looking at
Jesus' death as the end of their hopes, dreams and aspirations, they now
understand it as the beginning of a new life in the Risen Christ. It begins
with the shattering of an immature faith and ends with the disciples giving
witness to the others with a mature faith. Their story now is a new one—a story
filled with life and hope. And that story is our own story too!
MOTHER'S DAY DINNER DANCE
Saturday May 13, 2017. Cocktails at 6 pm
and dinner at 7 pm. Tickets are available in the vestibule after Mass and from
the office during the week. I hope you come out and enjoy an evening of good
food, lots of dancing and companionship with your fellow parishioners. Please
get your tickets early so that we can plan food and drinks.
Fr. Phil
