Reflecting on the Word

By Rev. James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R.

Recognizing Jesus as the risen Lord seems to have been something of a problem. Mary Magdalene didn’t; she thought he was the gardener. The disciples on  the road to Emmaus didn’t; they took him for a stranger who had heard nothing  about the recent events in Jerusalem. And even in today’s Gospel, the apostles  thought he was a ghost.

It is instructive to note how Jesus reveals himself in each case. To Mary  Magdalene, he simply says her name, “Mary.” The two disciples on the road get  an instruction on how all these recent events in Jerusalem fulfill the scriptures.  And today the apostles are shown his hands and feet, watch him eat, and again,  have their minds opened to the meaning of the scriptures. In all cases, Jesus’  words play an important role. 

How we come to know the risen Lord runs along the same lines. We come to  know him through the word of God. He calls us to be disciples, to be friends, to  be children of the Father through the scriptures. We come to the table of the Lord  each week, where our minds and hearts can be opened. 

We recognize him in the breaking of the bread, both the bread of the Eucharist  and the bread of God’s word. Some preparation on our part can be helpful. By  spending some time with the coming Sunday’s readings during the week, we are  more likely to have God’s word penetrate our hearts when we gather to listen  together to the scriptures and the preaching. 

Consider/Discuss

  • Have you had any experience of knowing the presence of Christ and  hearing his voice in the readings and preaching at Sunday Eucharist?
  • Do you appreciate the Sunday Eucharist as a time when the community continues to experience the presence of the risen Lord? 

Responding to the Word

Risen Lord Jesus, by our baptism we began to live with your life and received  the gifts of faith, hope, and love. We know you have come to draw us into the  life and love of the Trinity. Increase our ability to hear your voice and know you  through the scriptures.

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