As you go along

Today’s readings offer two of the most evocative incidents from the time shortly after the Resurrection of Christ.

In the Gospel (Luke 24:13-35), we have the wonderful story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.

And it happened
that while they were conversing and debating,
Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,
but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.

Only later do they realize what had happened to them.

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?”



So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem
where they found gathered together
the Eleven and those with them who were saying,
“The Lord has truly been raised
and has appeared to Simon!”

Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way
and how he was made known to them
in the breaking of the bread.

In the first reading (Acts 3:1-10), probably less than a few months after the Resurrection, Peter and John are making their way into the Temple for mid-afternoon prayer when they come across a man crippled since birth: a chance encounter that results in a dramatic and powerful moment.

When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple,
he asked for alms.
But Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said,
“Look at us.”

He paid attention to them,
expecting to receive something from them.

Peter said,
“I have neither silver nor gold,
but what I do have I give you:
in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean,
rise and walk.”


There are many lessons to be found in these wonderful passages, but one common element is good for us to remember: in both cases, these people were simply going about, doing normal things, when there was an unexpected opportunity of grace.

The two disciples were just walking down the road when all of a sudden the Risen Lord Jesus Christ was with them, teaching them, and lighting a fire in their hearts.

The two Apostles were just heading into services, just like any of us walking into Church for daily Mass, when all of a sudden the Holy Spirit moves them to help a person in need with the power of the Risen Christ.

As you and I go along the rest of this day and all of our normal activities, may we be continually sensitive and open to whatever opportunities with which the Lord presents us to feel his presence and to share with others the grace we have received.