Readings: Acts.3:1-10; Ps. 104; Luke24:13-35
Fr.
Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
AND
OUR HEARTS WERE BURNING AS HE SPOKE TO US
Oftentimes,
we hardly understand fully the meaning of the faith we profess in Christ.
Though we still journey with Christ and his Church without a full understanding
of the mystery we celebrate. Sometimes we are confused, sometimes we doubt, and
sometimes we feel like going back to our ugly and sinful ways of life. This
type of disposition is the condition of the two disciples of Jesus in our
Gospel passage today, where we heard the story about the two disciples who were
on their way to Emmaus.
The
story of these two disciples on the road to Emmaus is one of the most
interesting stories in the Gospel that explains the structure of our liturgical
celebration in a more practical way. In
this story, they were on a journey when the risen Lord joined them on the way
and explained the scriptures to them. These two disciples had no idea who Jesus
was when he approached them. They are aware, however, of the recent events in
Jerusalem but cannot comprehend them. But the Lord after explaining the
scriptures, revealed his identity to them at the breaking of bread, when he
took a loaf of bread and gave thanks, he broke it and gave it to them just like
he did at the Last Supper.
Dear
friends, in this same way, the risen Lord journeys with us in our liturgical
worship, beginning with the penitential rite where we reflect on the situation
in our life and recall how sinful and unworthy we are before God. Then we
recalled the events of our faith as the Lord Jesus takes us through the
Scriptures and the celebration of the Eucharist. Here the faith of the faithful
is sustained. It is the place where Jesus continues to reveal himself. Where
the Christian faith is born and nurtured, where what Jesus did for us through
his suffering, death and resurrection is remembered in thanksgiving. This is
the faith Peter and John expressed in our first reading today when they
restored the crippled in the name of Jesus.
But
the question we need to ask ourselves is, is our hearts burning as we listen to
the Lord speaking to us in the Liturgy? What is our disposition towards the
faith we have found in Christ? Have we personally encountered or recognized the
presence of God in our lives, especially at Eucharistic celebrations? Today the
Lord Jesus wishes to journey with us in our struggles. He wishes to instruct us
more about the faith we found in him. He wishes to reveal himself once again
for to us if we are going to be disposed enough to listen to him as he speaks
to us especially through the scriptures and in the Eucharist.
LET US
PRAY: Loving Jesus, as we journey together on the road of faith with you,
especially in the midst of the ugly situation in our lives, family and the
world, help us to always recognize you personally in different events we
encounter on the way, especially at the breaking of the Eucharistic bread. You
who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Peace be with you.
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