In encountering Jesus along the way the disciple's hearts burned within them and allowed them to experience him at the breaking of bread. This encounter lives on as we prepare to experience Pentecost next Sunday. This is not just a once-in-a-lifetime experience but rather an embodiment of how the early Church experienced the reality of the Holy Spirit.
He walked alongside them on a road that drew them away from an incident that was full of sorrow and disappointment. They had sought to follow Jesus and had believed that in him all things were possible. Yet their sight was clouded by a vision that had been formed in their own minds and hearts about what God should be doing to proclaim the kingdom. This can be an all too familiar experience in our own lives when we wonder why God seems to be slow to act against injustice and oppression.
Jesus takes these encounters seriously as he listens to the disciples and their real-life concerns. Yet He also seeks to draw them into a deeper encounter with who he is and invites them to recognize him as he breaks open the Word for them. This is not just reading from a text but a reading of the heart. This is how we can meet Jesus in the Word proclaimed. Their excitement is not just momentary but seeks out a longing deep in their hearts.
They bring this anticipation of a richer and more fulfilled life to the altar of life where he breaks bread with them. In this moment he shares not only himself but a deeper understanding of themselves as people called to share that life with others. This is the proclamation that Jesus makes at the Ascension and is realized in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Jesus emboldens the disciples to become people alive with his vision of proclaiming the Good News to every nation. This is not just a personal gift but a mission for every nation and every generation. We are called to follow Him and proclaim his life to all people and to the whole of creation.
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