Weekly thoughts on the Sunday Gospel, readings or a topic...

----------------------------------------------

seeing your life through the lens of the gospels – 24:13-35
1. Jesus joined the despondent disciples and listened to them. ‘We had hoped ...’ When you have been upset or disappointed, who has joined you along the road? To whom have you been able to pour out your heart? Who was a ‘Jesus person’ to you, listening to you in respectful silence? To whom have you been a Jesus person?
2. Jesus then helps them to see things in another light by opening the scriptures to them. When did you have the experience of finding your heart ‘burning within you’ with new hope for the future? Who/what helped you to change after a setback?
3. The disciples invite Jesus to join them at table – there follows a recognition of who he is. We meet many people on the road of life. Usually we meet and pass on. Occasionally we meet someone whom we invite into our homes, into our hearts, in a deeper way, in a way we had not done before. With whom has this happened for you? Where in these relationships have you experienced the presence of God or of Jesus?
4. After Jesus had gone the disciples went to bring the good news to others. When have you met others who told you what happened to them along their road? What effect did this sharing have on you? When have you done this with others? When was such a conversation ‘good news’ for you or others?  – John Byrne, OSA

The Deep End
Today’s Gospel finds Jesus’ friends downcast and confused at all that happened in their world. His death had devastated them; rumours of his resurrection amazed and confused them. Into their sadness and confusion Jesus comes; walking with them, talking with them even though they didn’t recognise him and yet they said later ‘didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road?’
It’s a reminder to us that he is always with us as believers even if we don’t recognise him. Sometimes he speaks to us through the love and kindness of others; the friendly word or gesture, the willingness to listen, the acceptance of us for all our faults and failings. There is surely someone in all our lives who makes us feel better just for knowing them; they reflect God’s goodness and love and care in the simplest ways.
The great gift that Jesus left his followers to remind them of his constant presence was the Eucharist when he promised to be with us wherever it was celebrated in memory of him. And when we have listened and nourished ourselves in communion with each other we go to bring this word and this nourishment to others. Because the religion that Jesus Christ taught was one of giving and forgiving; of living life to the full and making the most of each day. In the words of St Catherine of Siena, ‘Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.’  
– Padraig O’Connor, Co. Louth

(from Intercom)