Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
The Emmaus story seems to mirror our common experience of coming to faith in Jesus Christ and his resurrection through gradual stages, rather than suddenly as it happened with Mary. In the Emmaus story, the disciples come to recognize Jesus through two means: the Word of God and the breaking of bread.
We have heard and read the scriptures from our youth, and certainly, we have found many wonderful and powerful passages. But who of us wouldn’t be thrilled to have it all interpreted by Jesus himself. The apostles had that privilege but still didn’t understand it until after the resurrection. We have that privilege too, for we have the tradition that comes from the apostles, but we too are dull and have to keep coming back to the Word in our reflection on the scriptures and our prayer. If we are patient and persistent, Christ will explain the scriptures to us.
Christ also reveals Himself in the breaking of the bread: in the Eucharist and at our dining room table. There He gives himself completely to us and to the world, and asks no less from us, not reproachfully or harshly, but warmly as he did on the road and at the table in Emmaus.
Reflection: Am I ignoring Jesus trying to give himself to me in the scriptures and in the Eucharist?
Reflection by Abbot Benedict Neenan, OSB
Posted in Article for Easter, Daily Reflections