24 April 2019 - in the breaking of the bread

Today's Readings

(Audio)

Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,
but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.

This happens to all of us more often than we realize. Jesus wants to be more present in our lives than we allow. There is more to him than our current mental constructs manage to capture. He wants to reveal himself in greater depth and to show us all the places from which he surrounds us with his presence. Given that we so often miss Jesus, how can we avail ourselves of this desire of his to reveal himself to us?

Stay with us,
for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over

Our desire to remain with him, open to him, and open to what he wants to reveal is all we need. More will happen than we are able to realize while it is happening.

Were not our hearts burning within us
while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?

We find him in the Scriptures in a way that is surprisingly powerful. He is alive amidst his living and active word. This presence is no mere metaphor. Even more, we find him in the breaking of the bread.

Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way
and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Once we begin to find him in Word and Sacrament we become able to see him in the poor, the sick, and the lame. When we see Jesus himself in need what can we possibly do but rely on Jesus himself to meet that need?

But Peter looked intently at him, as did John,
and said, “Look at us.”
He paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them.
Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold,
but what I do have I give you: 
in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk.”
Then Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up,
and immediately his feet and ankles grew strong.

Jesus is near us but we often don't recognize him. Let's invite him to remain with us, patient with us, until we do recognize him. He surrounds us with his love, waiting to unleash signs and wonders on the world.

Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.