Fr James McTavish, FMVD
“Stay with us”
There is a popular film called “Bruce Almighty” where Bruce is given the chance to be God for a short while. He takes advantage of this situation to try to woo his ex-girlfriend called Grace. He can use all his powers but is not allowed to interfere with free will. He places many signs in the path of Grace such as carving “Bruce loves Grace” on hundreds of trees as she walks by, placing cloud shaped love hearts in the sky and many other gimmicks. None work so he asks God how can you get someone to fall in love with you without touching their free will. God replies that he doesn’t know but if Bruce finds out to let God know.
It reminds us that the greatest lover is God himself and he is always searching for ways to woo us and draw us to himself – a stunning sunset, a child laughing, a sick person smiling despite pain, an inspiring quote, your favourite song, the listening ear of a friend, the company of someone you trust, the consoling words of the priest during reconciliation or simply the experience of Jesus’ self-giving in the Eucharist. But at times we don’t see God’s presence and it is as if our eyes are closed.
This happened to the disciples of Emmaus in today’s Gospel (Luke 24, 13-36). We have two disciples walking away from Jerusalem, away from the difficulties and away from their community. They are talking and discussing on the way. Jesus himself draws near but they do not recognize him. Jesus listens with so much patience. One of them is rather ironic and sarcastic with Jesus as it appears that Jesus does not seem to aware of what has been happening – One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?" And he replied to them, "What sort of things?" Cleopas then explains everything – the death of Jesus, the women not finding his body at the tomb – he has really analysed the events but does not understand them. Jesus then says to him "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer 1 these things and enter into his glory?" (Luke 24:25-26) Jesus then goes on to explain the events in the light of the Scriptures.
What can we learn from this episode? We live many situations and many“A Virgin ever attentive to God’s word, she lives attuned to that word; she treasures in her heart the events of her Son, piecing them together as if in a single mosaic (cf. Lk 2:19,51).” events but not always do we understand all the events. It is like a mosaic – a bigger picture made of many small pieces. A mosaic usually takes a bit of work to put together – there are many small pieces of ceramic which have to be assembled in the right way. But when it is finished it displays a beautiful scene. If we are able to piece the events we experience a wonderful fruit – integration. It is to feel integrated. The opposite is to feel disintegrated or dispersed. How can we understand the events of our lives? We need the light of the Word of God. As the psalmist explains “Your Word of Lord is a lamp for our path and a light for our feet.” The many events that occur have to be enlightened and illuminated by the Word. I felt uneasy watching the celebrations over the death of a wanted terrorist recently. We should not always accept the things in the world around us. The Gospel can help purify cultural values.
After Jesus explains the Scriptures they ask him to stay with him - “Stay with us for evening comes and the day is almost over” – it is true without Jesus who is the light of the world, everything becomes dark. It is beautiful to see how obedient Jesus is – he goes in to stay with them. And during the breaking of the bread their eyes are opened. May we too open our eyes in the breaking of the bread to recognize his great love for us in every Eucharist. And may Mother Mary teach us how to recognize the presence of Jesus in our everyday lives – she who kept the Word in her heart and was able to put together the events of her life “piecing them together as if in a single mosaic” (Verbum Domini 27).
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