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Gospel of Luke 24:13-35
So he went in to stay with them.
And it happened that, while he was with them at table,he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”
And it happened that, while he was with them at table,he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”
Playing a violin Last night I attended Saturday evening mass at the sister parish. During the distribution of communion, a violinist played "Ave Maria" with piano accompaniment. Wow, it was beautiful! It made me think of the days I used to play violin in the Baptist church. I watched as the violinist's fingers moved up and down the finger board with full vibrato. The instrument's sound pulled at my own heart strings as I felt a burning desire to pull out my old dusty violin and play along! The month of May is dedicated to Our Blessed Mother, so "Ave Maria" is very appropriate selection. Playing the violin is like riding a bicycle: You never forget how to play. It just takes practice to get back into musical shape!
Music is a beautiful form of prayer. I always think the angels in heaven sing along with the congregation during Mass. Also, I imagine Jesus, Mary and the Saints humming along, too. There's nothing more inspiring than a high mass with full choir and orchestra! I've attended some parishes with professional-quality music and others with just the basic guitar and cantor. Each unique style of music expression invites parishioners to immerse themselves in the heart of the liturgy - celebrating Jesus Christ in Holy communion.
An unfamiliar road Certain scripture passages resonate with me on a very deep level. Luke's account of the disciples and Jesus on the road to Emmaus is an example. I find it so interesting how the two disciples didn't instantly recognize Jesus. It reminds me of instances when we are so focused on the "drama"surrounding our own lives that we fail to recognize the people, situations, and actions that can help shed light on our misunderstandings and confusion. Jesus while "undercover" explained the scriptures to the two disciples. The prophets predicted correctly the arrival of the Messiah; yet, so many people, including the Pharisees, refused to accept the truth.
It's only until Jesus broke the bread and gave it to his disciples that the men's eyes were opened. They finally recognized Jesus conversing with them along that familiar road.
Are there times in your life you've ignored signs around you? If Jesus came up to you today, would you recognize him? Or is he an unfamiliar stranger?
Our hearts burning within I love when the disciples question each other with the following:
"Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?"
Many times our inner alarm detectors will go off when we know we are in the presence of something good and holy. Our hearts burn with excitement and inspiration. We feel a peace and harmony that's indescribable. It's as if the Holy Spirit ignites our hearts with so much love it bursts into flames. The heat rises to the level where we don't get burned but instead feel a sensation to spread the good news of faith and love to others. The fire within our hearts draws us to acts of charity, catechesis, or even spiritual direction. The flame of Christ's love never burns out when it's fully recognized and shared with others.
Let us not walk on earth in a shadow of mystery with our hearts only weakly lit. Keep the flame burning within our hearts through prayer, continuously searching ways we can grow in our Christian faith.
-J.
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