On this quaint little island of ours we seem to abound in culinary delights. So many varieties of food with so many delicious notes and depths of flavor. Of course you'd have to try the food to even have a chance of experiencing any of the delights. The key is a willingness, an open heart, an open mind, an open mouth!
The disciples traveling to Emmaus seemed a bit self absorbed talking with each other about all these things that had happened. It was all overwhelming to be sure. I whirlwind of activity from the time Jesus came into Jerusalem until the time Jesus was crucified and was risen. I am sure all the events needed some unpacking and that's what these disciples seemed to be at.
There are so many things in life that we become overly concerned with, often to the detriment of everyone around us and even ourself. The rationalizations we may use may seem honest and decent with intent.
On retreat, Brother Robert gave a talk in which he spoke of the way things are in relation to holy days and perhaps any event. There is the way we can do things, the way we 'have to' do things and perhaps the best, the simplest form which often is the most powerful and undiluted. Perhaps with good intentions we get caught in rules and rubrics, preferences for personal acts of piety and an insistence that things must be done 'just this way'! Often this kind of 'stuff' going on distracts and detracts from the essence of the affair. We fail to see the real picture and the importance of what is being celebrated or going on.
Do you think that the disciples were so concerned with reviewing the events that they could not see the reality of Jesus standing with them? walking with them? talking with them? I wonder how many times we are concerned with something, almost anything really, that prevents us from seeing something much more important. Perhaps it's a homeless person standing feet from us that we seemingly ignore. Perhaps it's a coworker that really could benefit from your presence. How about a bullied teenager in pain that we don't even notice because we are too busy with our own problems. The examples are legion. I don't think we realize the impact we have on peoples lives or the things we miss by not being present to them because we are pre-occupied.
Just like fine food though, we have to be willing to try it. Try divesting yourself of petty concerns so that you can have a chance to really experience life. See what is really important., the depth of flavor of life! That's as true for seeing people as it is for the sights and sounds of God's magnificaent creations. One of the things I love about cycling around here is you notice the smells and the sounds and you see wildlife you don't even notice whizzing by in a car.
Perhaps the phrase should be modified: open heart, an open mind, closed mouth, open ears!
Luke 24:13-35
That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
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