I work with people with traumas and know that how they think can be seriously impaired. Delusions and paranoia are not uncommon. Anxiety and concentration disorders are not uncommon. Today we hear at mass that Peter and John are leaving Jerusalem, perhaps fleeing for their lives, or in need of space to fully get their heads around the death of the Messiah. We don't know. But we do know that they fail to recognise Jesus on the road.
Sounds a bit ridiculous to my modern ears. They have spent so much time with him, sharing in the miracles, eating and sleeping and working together for months, yet just days after his execution they cannot see with whom they walk. Granted, the man has just died so they don't expect him to be out and about. As i mentioned, they are probably traumatised or at least in a state of serious grieving having not only lost a friend and teacher, but the Son of Man, the Son of God. Thus, they might be preoccupied. Jesus too, might not have looked familiar: we don't know this either as there is no physical description. I learn from the catechism on the resurrection:
"We believe in the true resurrection of this flesh that we now possess". We sow a corruptible body in the tomb, but he raises up an incorruptible body, a "spiritual body" (CCC 1017).
Perhaps then the two men were blinded by their grief. However, when they later allow their guest to break bread with them their eyes are opened. Before them is the Christ, arisen. Before them is their Teacher, who had just spent the hours on the road explaining scripture. As if to remind them once again, he takes the break, blesses it and breaks it: Take this, all of you, and eat of it: For this is my body which will be given up for you ... do this in memory of me (institution narrative, Eucharistic prayer).
Would i recognise Christ if he were to meet and walk with me on my path? My own Self-interest blinds me to so much, of that i confess. To monitor my Self, my words, my deeds, my thoughts, i am better able to be present in every situation, especially when it involves another human being. Do i see them for as they are? Or am i only seeing what i need to see, what i want to see? Funny. I wonder how many times i have walked with Christ, listened to God and not heard, not seen, not responded. Sometimes i think that if i choose to see Christ everywhere, God in everyone, to consider what i am asked to do in His name (and not asked to do from my own selfishness, fear, greed or other motivation) for another being, then the chance of missing Him will be less.
Deo gratias.
Sounds a bit ridiculous to my modern ears. They have spent so much time with him, sharing in the miracles, eating and sleeping and working together for months, yet just days after his execution they cannot see with whom they walk. Granted, the man has just died so they don't expect him to be out and about. As i mentioned, they are probably traumatised or at least in a state of serious grieving having not only lost a friend and teacher, but the Son of Man, the Son of God. Thus, they might be preoccupied. Jesus too, might not have looked familiar: we don't know this either as there is no physical description. I learn from the catechism on the resurrection:
"We believe in the true resurrection of this flesh that we now possess". We sow a corruptible body in the tomb, but he raises up an incorruptible body, a "spiritual body" (CCC 1017).
Perhaps then the two men were blinded by their grief. However, when they later allow their guest to break bread with them their eyes are opened. Before them is the Christ, arisen. Before them is their Teacher, who had just spent the hours on the road explaining scripture. As if to remind them once again, he takes the break, blesses it and breaks it: Take this, all of you, and eat of it: For this is my body which will be given up for you ... do this in memory of me (institution narrative, Eucharistic prayer).
Would i recognise Christ if he were to meet and walk with me on my path? My own Self-interest blinds me to so much, of that i confess. To monitor my Self, my words, my deeds, my thoughts, i am better able to be present in every situation, especially when it involves another human being. Do i see them for as they are? Or am i only seeing what i need to see, what i want to see? Funny. I wonder how many times i have walked with Christ, listened to God and not heard, not seen, not responded. Sometimes i think that if i choose to see Christ everywhere, God in everyone, to consider what i am asked to do in His name (and not asked to do from my own selfishness, fear, greed or other motivation) for another being, then the chance of missing Him will be less.
Deo gratias.
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