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.
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