Break Bread Together
Rick Maupin of Lee’s Summit, MO, USA
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. -Luke 24:13-16
Sports analogies don’t draw my attention, typically. However, the first scene of today’s scripture, the two men walking down the road to Emmaus, always brings an analogy to my mind.
The team members practiced hard all season, working tirelessly to learn and complete all the plays well. They respected their coach and followed his guidance. This night they came into the game with a strong belief they would come home victorious. But the game was now over, and they were on the bus taking that long ride home.
It was an extra-long and miserable ride this night because of their defeat. The team could not understand what went wrong. Some may even have wondered if they should stay on the team or continue to play at all. However, after words of reassurance and support by the coach the next morning, the team began to turn its sights to the next game.
I wonder if these two walking on the road to Emmaus were feeling a little like those on the ride home after the game, hearts heavy with despair, feeling hopeless, defeated. And maybe their walk to Emmaus was an act of escaping. Going back to old ways, old habits, back to old comfort zones, back to the way it was “before Jesus.”
Is that ever your reaction in difficult times? Do you retreat, pull back to the familiar and comfortable, or hide from the world? Many of us spend time on our own Emmaus road. Maybe the danger is not so much going down that road periodically, but rather when we start living out our life on our Emmaus roads.
One of the most important lessons of the resurrection is to realize there is a God who wants to fold us in love if we choose resurrection over the road to Emmaus. There is hope when we recognize the Living Christ in our journey, and we continue with the Christ to the place of breaking bread. The road to Emmaus may be part of our journey, but because of the resurrection, it does not have to be our destination.
Prayer Phrase
“Attention is the beginning of devotion” (Mary Oliver).
Spiritual Practice
Holy Attention
Engaging in the practice of holy attention allows us to suspend our inner conversations and agendas and give reverent and receptive focus to a specific person or portion of God’s creation. Regarding another as an unrepeatable miracle whose life journey is unique and sacred brings awareness to and affirmation of God’s presence in all creation. We do this in the spirit of Christ who saw into the deep hearts of people and recognized their true identities as God’s beloved. Spend time this day in prayerful attention to God’s creation, to the people in your life, and to your daily surroundings.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
