“Stay With Us”
On the third Sunday of Easter we are presented with a well-known story from the Gospel of Luke. It is afternoon on the day of the resurrection. Two men are traveling on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They are conversing and debating “all the things that had occurred”. Jesus draws near and begins to walk with them, but for some unexplained reason “their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.” Jesus teaches and interprets the scripture for them…..but they still don’t recognize him. Arriving at Emmaus, Jesus acts as if he is going to continue on but the men urge him; “Stay with us”.
And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him but he vanished from their sight. Luke 24:30-31
What can you and I receive from this story as we journey through the unknown and the uncertain?
Jesus comes to us as He did to those two travelers on the road to Emmaus. The Word of God is present at Mass, in the Bibles that sit on our bookshelves and nightstands, in the inspirational memes and messages we share via text or computer or phone. What is he saying to us? Can we hear him over conversations and debates concerning what got us here and what might help us safely to the other side? Can we respond with the simple yet profound prayer in today's gospel?
“Jesus, stay with us.”
One of the upsides to the current downside is that many of us have been given the gift of time and space. With what do we refill that time and space?
“Jesus, stay with us.”
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Then they said to each other “Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32
Jesus, walk with me. I will make time.
Jesus, speak to my heart. I am listening.
Jesus, fill my heart. It is open.
Jesus, stay with me.
From a distance, but still blessed to be in ministry with you at St. Mary’s
Bruce
“In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts are worth rushing back to”
Dave Hollis
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