Daily Reflections - April 3,2013

AM I MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

 

In the Middle Ages, churches were always built facing the east, where the sun rises. One reason was that there was no electricity and it was important to catch the light of the rising sun during early Masses. But there was another reason. The east, the rising sun, had become a symbol of the Risen Lord.

Today, we meet two disciples walking late in the afternoon towards Emmaus without recognizing that the “stranger” who had joined them was Jesus. Since Emmaus is located west of Jerusalem, we might ask: Is Luke telling us that the two disciples were walking in the wrong direction, towards the setting sun, and so could not recognize the Risen Lord? After all, they were leaving the community of the Apostles. They were leaving the Holy  City, where they had buried Jesus two days ago. They had ignored reports about some women who claimed to have seen the Lord that very morning.

Nevertheless, Jesus is very patient with them. He first explained the Scriptures and then broke bread with them. Do you realize something? Isn’t this what we do in every Holy Mass? We listen to the Scriptures and their explanation in the homily, and then the priest breaks the consecrated bread which we receive in Holy Communion!

The two disciples then recognized the Lord and rushed back to the community. Do we? Too often, we hear but don’t listen well to already familiar or difficult Bible passages. Many take the Eucharist for granted, as shown in improper attire, in how some approach the Eucharist, in the decreasing reverence for the Risen Lord present in the small white Host.

With the rapid spread of secularization and relativism, we are in danger of moving like the two disciples — not towards the Risen Lord  but towards the setting sun of our materialistic world.

The passage about the two men rushing back also tells us that, as disciples of Christ, we can do our mission not separated from the Christian community, but in and with the Church community. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Has the Mass become only a ritual for you or a real encounter with the Risen Christ?

 

Risen Lord, thank You for making me aware once more that every Holy Mass I attend is an encounter with You. Help me to recognize You always.