...in the breaking of the bread
Chapter 24 of St. Luke’s Gospel includes the story of
disciples on the road to Emmaus who encounter Jesus but do not
recognize Him. When Jesus asks the subject of their conversation, they
look “downcast” and pour out their hurt and disappointment saying,
“You must be the only one around who doesn’t know what has happened!”
They tell him about Jesus’ death and how their hopes that He was the
promised Redeemer are shattered. Then, they mention, “Some women went
to His tomb and found His body gone. They claim an angel told them He
is alive, but no one has seen Him.”
Jesus replies with something similar to, “Oh, ye of
little faith.” Then, He walks with them and explains the Scriptures.
It isn’t until they are sitting at table and He blesses and breaks the
bread that they finally recognize Him. Suddenly, they realize how His
words had touched their hearts. (Were not our hearts burning within
us?) With faith renewed, they return to Jerusalem to share their news.
Even as we pray for the return of our prodigal loved
ones to Catholicism, many of us search for Jesus. Like those
disciples, we may be praying, wanting to believe that Jesus is alive,
but downcast, and sometimes even doubtful, because the answer to our
prayer seems slow in coming. We may be seeking renewal of our hearts
that we might persevere in prayer and love, a stronger faith that we
may trust the Lord totally, and asking for more power and
effectiveness in our prayers. Where can we find all those things?
Let’s try walking that road to Emmaus. He who is alive waits for us
today. Where shall we look for Him? Let us go to the bread.
He’s as close as the tabernacle in our church,
close as the consecration at today’s Mass, close as the monstrance in
our Adoration chapels. Sit awhile with Jesus at His table. Feel the
power of the Eucharist burning in your heart. Go to the Blessed
Sacrament.
We asked our online prayer group to share experiences
of the Eucharist with us. One story is below. More are throughout
this newsletter.
Before my son was born doctors couldn't detect a heart
beat.
I begged them to do a c-section. He was born on the
Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Shortly after, I left the Church.
Later, I had a conversion experience, received an
annulment and my new marriage was blessed. I tried to instill in my
children a love for the Church, but, it didn't work out the way I had
hoped.
My son left home after an argument. I didn’t see him
for five months. I often went to pray in the Chapel on the military
base.
One day, while praying as tears fell on my son's
picture in front of me, I heard Navy personnel say, "She’s in the
Blessed Sacrament Chapel.”
I gasped when I my son walked in. We were there, with
Jesus, for some minutes before I turned to my son. His reason for
coming was to borrow some money. I knew it was Jesus who had found him
and brought him back to me.
Soon, he met a lovely Catholic girl whose good example
led him back to the Sacraments. Today, he faithfully attends Mass with
his family.
Now, I pray for two other sons to return to the Faith.
I believe that as it happened with one, it will happen with them.
Jesus I Trust in You.
I struggle to not try to "push" my non-practicing sons
back into the arms of Christ and His Church. I trust when I do my
pleading with God instead of with them, it will happen at the best
possible time
~Name
Withheld by Request
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