This weekend we find ourselves celebrating the Third Sunday of Easter and living in the Sixth Week of Corona. So hopefully, here’s a little perspective and application on both.
The Gospel of Luke finds two of Jesus’ disciples walking along the road to Emmaus and discussing the events of recent days in Jerusalem. Unbeknownst to them, the Christ is walking with them and listening to their conversation. He approaches them but they do not recognize Him. Asking them what they are conversing about, they are dumbfounded that this man is ignorant of all that has happened here in these last few days. As the disciples neared their destination, they invited Jesus to stay with them. We know the rest of the story.
But really happened at dinner? Yes, Christ broke the bread and said the blessing—but something else happened: they, His disciples, were in His Presence—and from His Presence they learned from Him—or allowed themselves to learn from Him because their eyes and ears were open. They were hungry and they were willing.
We too are hungry and hopefully willing—and I don’t just mean checking the refrigerator all day—but You and I are in His Presence, the real, True Presence of Christ at each and every Mass, as we break His Bread, and He is teaching us, if we come with open and willing eyes and ears, to learn of His Glory among us, His Truth.
As believers we are called to see His Glory in the Eucharist and also in the Sacraments that He gave us complete with their God-given graces, as well as in the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church—you and me—as we do His Will.
Sr. Barbara Reid, O.P., a professor of New Testament, tells us that Luke’s Gospel presents the story today from two sides: that of the disciples who are confused after having their hopes dashed by the death of Jesus, as well as from Jesus’ side. Let’s look at His point of view.
Jesus teaches the two disciples how to read Sacred Scripture and to reinterpret their beliefs according to Scripture granting them wisdom and knowledge; He breaks the Bread so that they can be nourished and transformed into believers and come to know with the knowledge of Scripture, the Wisdom of the Sacraments and then possess the ability to believe and go forth to Proclaim the Good News. For now the disciples have been transformed to spread the Good News and do God’s work. For them, life is changed far beyond their original expectations, Sr. Reid would say.
Being homebound we have more to listen to than just the TV “news.” We also have tremendous access to much Good News both here in our parish and beyond. I would offer that we use this time as well as the anxiety of the world to focus in on God’s Truth and to learn from Sacred Scripture a deeper, more meaningful way to have new insight into the world around us, and with that transformation we might just be able to see beyond who we are today and to what we may become: Christ-like in what we say and do. When I reenter the world after the Coronavirus passes what kind of person will I be? Will I hold onto the unity that many Americans are expressing in-and-through the prayers offered for frontline medical workers and emergency responders? Will I still look out for my elderly or vulnerable neighbor? Will I think less of my personal, immediate wants and more toward the needs of everyone? Will I fully embrace the fullness of an over-scheduled life or will I focus on the important things of life?
The Coronavirus might just be an opportunity to realign our priorities of life—and who knows, with eyes of faith and willingness—maybe even gain something far beyond our original expectations.