Third Sunday of Easter
Let’s Take A Walk
Some of my earliest memories of formation in convent living, in religious life are the walks we took after evening chores. Everyone would go out in front of the buildings at 515 SW 24th Street—that long block of buildings that make up Our Lady of the Lake Convent and University– for a stroll. We had lots to talk about because most of our day was spent in learning the discipline of silence. We would share joys and sorrows, hopes and dreams and most of all, our great desire to go out and be actively engaged in mission!
Maybe it’s because I am moving to that address, the walk to Emmaus story in this Sunday’s Gospel is particularly meaningful. I know what I am leaving; I am not so sure what Providence will bring to my life as I return to the place of my initial formation. I do know that it will be about walking and talking—sharing new mysteries of life with all who accompany us, the Sisters of Divine Providence, on our continuing faith journey and our living in mission.
Pope Francis reminds us regularly that our mission as Catholics is to accompany, to walk with others. He encourages us to go beyond our fears of persons who are different from us, persons we would call strangers. It is in conversations, in walking side by side, in sitting across the table and talking, seeking understanding, that we recognize that we are all the Body of Christ. Conversations can dispel confusion and grace us with the recognition that Jesus is among us, alive in each person we encounter. Like the apostles, we can come to understand and to want to spend more time in community with others. We can meet others who are on their way, perhaps in ways that we don’t yet understand.
“Jesus himself drew near and walked with them.” Who will I draw near to and walk with this week?
For courage, we pray: Jesus, come walk with us and be with us now! Show us the new life that you are. Open our eyes and make our minds and hearts blaze! For this, let us all work and pray!
Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eExBStKG3kA
Follow with the lyrics here:
“In the Breaking of the Bread” by Michael Philip Ward
1) In the walking on the road, we saw Him.
In the telling of our hopes, we saw Him.
In the burning of our hearts, we saw the Lord.
At the meal He took the bread and then He blessed it, broke it, offered it.
In the breaking of the bread, we saw Him!
Suddenly our eyes were opened, and we knew He was alive!
2) We set out to find His friends to tell them.
We went to Jerusalem to tell them;
and with joy we told them, “We have seen the Lord!”
And as we were speaking there, He stood among us, blessed us, said to us,
“Now my peace I leave with you.” We saw Him!
Suddenly our eyes were opened, and we knew He was alive!
3) But then we became afraid without Him.
In the darkened room we stayed without Him,
waiting for the One He said that He would send.
Then the Spirit of the Lord came down upon us,
filling us, changing us, giving us the strength to say:
We saw Him! Suddenly our eyes were opened, and we knew He was alive!
4) We ran out into the street to tell them,
everyone that we could meet, to tell them,
“God has raised Him up and we have seen the Lord!”
We took bread as He had done and then we blessed it, broke it, offered it.
In the breaking of the bread, we saw Him!
Suddenly our eyes were opened.
There within our midst was Jesus, and we knew He was alive.
In the breaking of the bread, He is here with us again,
and we know He is alive.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!