Luke 24:13-35
“Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him…”
This Gospel story on the third Sunday after Easter is well-known and has several symbolic images to reflect upon. And so I did pray and ponder on which image to choose to share with you.
There is the image of seeing and not recognizing or the one of hospitality. My brother, George, was returning home from cataract surgery, and as he got out of the car and looked around, he jokingly said: "I didn't know that tree was there," pointing to the age-old elm tree in front of our home and assuring us he was now seeing better than before the surgery.
At the onset of the story, two disciples are walking toward Emmaus and discussing the events that just happened concerning Jesus's passion and death. They are interrupted suddenly by Jesus, whom they see but do not recognize. So often, we look but do not see. {They had eyes but do not see, the Psalmist tells us}. As they walked further on, Jesus continued to share the Scriptures with them. Evening came as they neared the town, and they invited Jesus to 'stay them because it was late in the evening.'
Jesus accepted the invitation, and they sat down to eat. As soon as Jesus took the bread, blessed and broke it, they recognized him, but He vanished from their sight.
Many times in our day-to-day living, we are interrupted by someone or something, and many times, it is not as important as what we are doing. Do we ever think it is Jesus within that person needing some attention?
Jesus appeared to many people after His resurrection, and today He comes to us in other ways: Scripture, Holy Communion, the poor, the rich, in all peoples and all things, including nature.
Where have you seen Jesus? Where have you recognized Jesus? Will you welcome Him to "stay with you"? I invite you to pray and reflect on this song found on YouTube: "Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord."
Sister Celeste Hupert, CSFN
