April Team Meeting
Reading: Luke 24:13-35
They recognised him at the breaking of bread
Two of the disciples of Jesus were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened…… Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself.
When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them. Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?’
They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions, who said to them, ‘Yes, it is true. The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.
Psalm 15
Show us, Lord, the path of life.
Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.
I say to the Lord: ‘You are my God.
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;
it is you yourself who are my prize.’
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,
who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight:
since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.
And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead,
nor let your beloved know decay.
You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever.
Concluding prayer
Dear God, we often don’t understand what is happening or recognise you in our lives or in others. Open our eyes to see you and give us the courage to always follow you. Amen.
April Reflection
This week’s Gospel is a story which details an encounter between the Risen Jesus and the disciples on the road to Emmaus. It shows how their understanding of who Jesus is developed as they spent more time with Him – as He revealed Himself in the scriptures and ultimately through the breaking of bread.
As we go through our own life’s journey we have opportunities to use occasions to look at our relationship with Jesus. Do we recognise Him when we encounter Him in our lives?
The disciples had set off to go to Emmaus, confused and saddened by the events that had happened in Jerusalem. As they walked Jesus joins them, though something prevented them from recognising Him”. This line gives us an opportunity to reflect on what it is that sometimes prevents us from recognising Jesus, particularly in other people.
Jesus listens to what they have to say and then having berated them for their foolishness proceeds to teach them how, through the scriptures, the Christ had been prophesied. Imagine their experience of listening to Jesus Himself explaining the scriptures to them! This may prompt us during this week, if we have time, to look at the Old Testament prophesies in a little more detail. It is also a reminder how important it is to listen to people.
The journey was over far too quickly for the disciples so when they reached their destination and Jesus went to move on, they persuaded Him to stay. What happened next was ultimately no doubt always in Jesus’ plan: to reveal Himself to them in the breaking of Bread. It was while He was at supper with them that they recognised Him in this breaking of Bread – and immediately He disappeared. In our own lives we may have come to a closeness with Jesus in the Eucharist and in prayer, or prompted by nature or encounters with people but then experienced, like the disciples, His disappearance. Just when we seemed to be close to him, we lose Him again! Perhaps we can ponder on, and appreciate, the importance of our relationship with Jesus.
There is so much to reflect on in this Gospel that it is only possible here to pick out a couple of points – the more we reflect and pray the more we may come to understand its message. Whatever else comes to us, we can say that when we are in difficulty Jesus will always stay with us, as He did with those disciples on the road to Emmaus. He is with us on whatever journey we are experiencing at the moment. What more could we ask of Him?
Sr Margaret Mattison, Warrington 1 Team
