Dear friends,
Today’s Gospel reading plunges us in the deep mystery of the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The Council Vatican II tells us that the celebration has two tables: the table of the Word and the table of the Sacrifice itself. The combination of both makes the Holy Mass as a whole. The Liturgy of the Word is integral part of the Eucharistic celebration; not a preparation that waits for fulfillment in the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
On their way to Emmaus, the disciples experience the truth of the above assumption from the Lord Himself. He teaches them when He explains to them the meaning of the Word of God. Luke says, “Then beginning with Moses with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures.” Moses and the prophets mean here the readings which are part of the Liturgy of the Word in our Eucharistic celebration. The Liturgy of the Word enlightens us and helps us be nourished by the Lord Himself. In the celebration of the Holy Mass we undertake the journey of salvation history; we reenact and celebrate the whole mystery of God’s intervention in human history and the fulfillment of His promises.
The dynamic at work in today’s Gospel is the reality of the two different kinds of presence of Christ to his disciples. The first one is the unseen presence of Christ. Christ is present and he journeys with his disciples who are unable to see Him because blinded by doubt, despair and hopelessness. The Word of God that we listen helps us open the eyes of our faith. It challenges us in our daily life and shakes us in our old convictions. In the Liturgy of the Word, when we listen devoutly, our hearts are always set aflame. When Christ speaks to us in the Liturgy of the Word, “He wants to consume our life in order to change it into his own; ours, full of vices, his, full of grace and glory.” He draws us to look at people, things and events through God’s own lenses.
Then comes the second kind of presence: the absent presence. The disciples’ eyes are open at the breaking of the bread. They all remembered the Last Supper and they saw Him present through their eyes of faith. Yet, he was already gone from their sight. Though absent, Christ remains present as the Sacrament of our salvation. We are invited to receive Him with devotion in order to let His Blood flow in our veins and enable us to be true witnesses to His endless presence. In the Eucharist, Christ gives us His soul full of grace and mercy; He draws us into Himself in order to carry us above ourselves to be the vessels of His Spirit of love.
As we continue to face the challenges of these trying times which keep us from receiving Christ physically in the Sacrament of His eternal presence, let us lift our hearts and minds up to Him and ask Him to come to us spiritually and feed us.
Fr. Emery