The Gospel today, Luke 24: 13-35, recounts the incident of two of Jesus' disciples walking a 7-mile trek from Jerusalem to Emmaus. On the way they discuss the events that had just occurred three days ago: Jesus crucifixion and death, the seemingly tragic end of their Master and Teacher. As they are talking Jesus, unbeknowst to them, joins them and asks them what they are discussing. Saddened, they ask in bewilderment: Don't you know what has happened these past few days; are you a visitor here that you are unaware? "What things?" He asks. So the two disciples explain everything. Jesus says to them: "How foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke. Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory? Then, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures." When they arrive in Emmaus, the disciples beg him to stay with them as it was getting late. He does so. At the meal he takes the bread, breaks it and gives it to them. Then he vanishes from their sight. Their eyes are open and they say to one another: Weren't our hearts burning as He spoke to us?
As you and I discuss serious, troubling issues in our personal lives, Jesus also joins us in our discussion and most times we, too, do not recognize Him. He is always ready to explain "the Scriptures" of our lives and our sufferings, too, are a necessary part of our own transformation from that in our lives that cause "death" to that which is life-giving. To what do I need to die if others are to be made whole, survive and thrive as happy, productive, joy-filled individuals? What do I need to let go of--what attitudes, behaviors--in order that I, too, will realize my potential to be "Christ" to others and for myself to be truly happy, joyfilled, God-centered individual who make the world a better place?
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