Burning Hearts

Burning Hearts

"Were not our hearts burning within us, while he was talking with us on the road, while he was opening the Scriptures to us?" Luke 24.32

Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Easter: Luke 24.13-35

It has been a couple of weeks since I last posted- so much going on for this "retired" guy! I first want to wish you all a blessed Easter, and no I'm not late!! We are still in Easter feasting as disciples, as the Church continues to celebrate all the way to June 8th, the feast of Pentecost! If you notice, we are in the third week OF Easter, not the third Sunday AFTER it! So teachers and parents, remind your children that we are still in Easter- pray with Alleluias, give them chocolate (which should be one of the precepts of the Church!) read the Easter Gospel stories together, and most importantly, share your story of faith!

Of all the Easter stories in the Gospels, the one this past Sunday is my all-time favorite- indeed, it is my favorite Gospel story, period! The title of my blog refers to disciples on a school bus- students, teachers, parents, administrators, trustees- all moving toward an encounter with Jesus in our Catholic schools. The story of the two disciples is our story of our journey of faith. 

Click on the link above and read the account prayerfully. Then consider this story as your own. Here are some reflections to guide you:

Luke 24. 13,14.The story begins with sadness, desperation and hopelessness. So these two disciples (not just one, as the journey is always communal) are trying to get away from the pain, and escape to Emmaus, a place known at the time for distraction and amusement, kind of like West Edmonton mall. Through their pain, they try to make sense of their lives, but are finding it difficult.  

When in your life did you encounter despair, and loneliness? How did you cope? What distracts you on your journey of faith?

24.15-18.

 Then they encounter a stranger on the road who inquires about their journey. It is Jesus, though they do not recognize him. Is it because he is a new, glorified creation? Perhaps. I think it is more likely that they are so consumed with grief, and their own loneliness, that they can't see the presence of Christ in their midst. But the stranger asks the right questions. He gets them to tell their story from their perspective.   

Who have been the mentors of faith in your life? Who do you go to when you need spiritual advice? With whom do you share your story?

24. 25-27

Here is a rather uncomfortable part of the story. Jesus tells them that they have been "foolish" and "slow of heart" for not connecting their story with the story of salvation found in the Scriptures. At first glance, we would consider admonition as not the best teaching method! However, the disciples at this point need the wake-up call that Scripture provides, if they would move from their self-pity and look at the big picture of REDEMPTION. It is why we read the Old Testament every week (except during Easter)- we are not listening old stories with no connection to us- we encounter the living God in them.  

How often do you read and pray the Scriptures? Do you just read the Gospels? How might you become more familiar with the accounts of the Old Testament?

24.29

Through this journey of faith, the disciples now yearn for an authentic encounter and relationship with Christ, and so they urge the stranger to stay. What is beautiful here is that they are concerned about his safety, "because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over". They have move beyond themselves.  

Think about the times when you put others needs ahead of your own. How are these times and encounter with the risen Lord?

24.30-32.

 The climax of the story- they finally recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread- the Eucharistic moment, when Jesus is blessed, broken and shared. He disappears from their sight, but they are no longer in despair.  

How are you blessed broken and shared for others in your life as a Christian?

24.33 

 This is a part of the story that rarely gets talked about in homilies, but is so incredibly important. "That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem".  WHAT????? But isn't it getting dark??? They could be attacked by thieves! Surely it would make sense to go tomorrow! And going back to Jerusalem? As disciples, that is risking their very lives!!!

Exactly.

What do you risk as being a true disciple of Jesus Christ? What holds you back? What gives you the courage to press on to your "Jerusalem".

May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to be with you on your journey, whether you walk along the road.

Or take the school bus...