Luke 24:35-43
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
In today’s passage, the two disciples from the road to Emmaus share their experience with the rest of Jesus’ community. Read Luke 24:35-43 imagining yourself in the room.
As Cleopas and his traveling companion begin to talk about their experience with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, Jesus is suddenly there with them, and his first words to the community are “Peace (Gr. eirḗnē) be with you.” The peace Jesus brings is not just the absence of conflict; eirḗnē is the Greek equivalent of shalom, and Jesus embodies shalom. With Jesus in their midst, the Kingdom of God is present and active.
But that doesn’t mean that these disciples immediately experience the peace of Jesus. His very presence – in the flesh – is disruptive to everything they have ever understood about life and death. Of course they are afraid.
But Jesus calls them to come closer - to touch him and to see that he is really there alive and well. And then he again takes food, this time an ordinary piece of fish, and he creates a sacred moment that transforms fear into joy and wonder.
Take a moment to become aware of Jesus’ presence with you now. Breathe in the name of Jesus and breathe out any anxiety, worry or tension you are holding in your body.
When you feel centered in the presence of Jesus, contemplate this idea of Jesus using the ordinary stuff of life to remind us of him and to ignite wonder and joy in us. Speak to him about this as thoughts come.
Read Luke 24:35-43 again.
Jesus’ resurrected body is a glorified body, but Jesus chose to retain the open wounds of crucifixion. These are not scars. John tells us that Jesus invited Thomas to put his hand into the place where Jesus was pierced with a sword and to touch the wounds on his hands (John 20:27). Jesus wants his followers to remember that he bore our sorrows, he was pierced for our transgressions, and he was beaten so we could be healed (Isaiah 53). This is grace in all its glory.
Jesus is real and he is alive today. If we allow him, he will disrupt our limited paradigms as he invites us into a larger reality. No matter what we are facing in this life, Jesus is always with us drawing us closer to him, turning the ordinary into the divine, and speaking his peace over us.
For the final moments of this time of reflection, return to silence and listen to Jesus.
What might Jesus be inviting you to do today?
Will you?
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