Seeing Jesus in the Eucharist

In the aftermath of the resurrection, two disciples journey to Emmaus, their hearts heavy with confusion and disappointment. They had hoped Jesus would be the one to redeem Israel, but now their hopes seem dashed despite rumors of an empty tomb. As they walk, a stranger joins them - Jesus himself - though their eyes are kept from recognizing him. This moment captures a profound truth of the spiritual life: Jesus often walks beside us, hidden yet present, especially in our moments of disillusionment and grief.

As Jesus interprets the Scriptures for them, beginning with Moses and the prophets, their hearts burn within them. The Word of God, illuminated by Christ himself, becomes not merely intellectual knowledge but a kindling flame within their souls. This burning heart experience reminds us that an authentic encounter with the Holy Scripture should not leave us cold, but rather set our hearts aflame with recognition of God's consistent love and providence throughout salvation history.

The culmination of this encounter comes not through explanation alone, but through the breaking of bread. Only when Jesus takes the bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them are their eyes opened. We recognize the Mass in this Eucharistic celebration, where Jesus Christ continues to make himself known to his disciples. The disciples' exclamation, "Were not our hearts burning within us?" reflects the life-changing power of Jesus' presence recognized in both Word and Sacrament.

The disciples immediately return to Jerusalem despite the late hour, compelled to share their encounter with the risen Lord. This urgency to proclaim what they have witnessed demonstrates the natural progression from an authentic encounter with Jesus Christ to missionary zeal. Their journey from confusion to clarity, from disappointment to joy, from blindness to recognition, and from isolation to community mirrors our own spiritual journey. Through the proclamation of Scripture and the breaking of bread (The Holy Mass), Jesus continues to walk with us on our own roads to Emmaus, revealing himself to those whose hearts are open to recognize him.


©2025 James Dacey Jr.

Location: Staten Island, NY 10312, USA

Popular posts from this blog

An Invitation To Read My Story - My Testimony

Image
An Invitation To Read My Story (1983) My Testimony and How Sharing The Rosary Has Become My Life's Focus My testimony begins with that life-changing weekend in 1983 when God intervened dramatically through the car accident on the Garden State Parkway (in New Jersey). What strikes me most in recalling it is the vivid detail of those "hands holding us in the air" during the violent rollover - a supernatural protection that I, as a self-proclaimed atheist at the time, couldn't explain away. Even in my initial resistance, crying out "Why did you save me???", there was already the seed of recognition that something beyond mere chance had occurred. The way God persistently pursued me through the next stage is remarkable. Through my mother's gentle invitation to the prayer meeting at St. Patrick's Church, I was led to a pivotal moment - standing in that center aisle with arms outstretched, mirroring Christ's posture on the cross. The physical sensation ...
Read more
Image
Consider Becoming a Rosary Maker Have you ever wished to make a meaningful difference in the world, while deepening your own spiritual journey? If so, we invite you to join Our Lady's Rosary Makers Ministry here at the Fatima Shrine in Lewiston NY. We are more than just a group - this is a calling, we are a community, and this is a way to bring light into the lives of others while strengthening your own faith. Plus it's a whole lot of fun, you may even become addicted to Making Rosaries. Discover the Joy of Rosary Making Rosary making is a profoundly rewarding activity that combines creativity with devotion. As you craft each Rosary Bead, you're not just making a rosary you're creating a tool for prayer, a symbol of hope, and a bridge to God for someone in need. Each Rosary carries the potential to touch lives, to comfort the sick, to uplift the weary, and to inspire the faithful. Aren't you curious? A Gift That Keeps on Giving Our Rosary Makers Ministry is dedicate...
Read more
Image
Daily Lenten Reflections 2025 Helpful Guide Throughout Lent Personal Prayer at the Start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Heavenly Father, As I begin this Lenten journey, marked with these ashes of repentance, I come before You with an open heart and a seeking spirit. Grant me the grace to embrace these forty days as a sacred time of transformation and renewal. Like Your Son Jesus in the desert, help me to face my temptations with courage and trust in Your presence. Give me wisdom to know what I must shed from my life, strength to maintain the disciplines I undertake, and love to reach out to those in need. May my fasting lead to true hunger for Your righteousness, my prayer draws me deeper into Your embrace, and my almsgiving reflect Your generous love for all. Let this not be just a time of external observance, but a season of profound inner conversion. Help me to recognize Your presence in Scripture, in silence, and in the faces of those I meet. Through Your Son's passion Lord, draw me...
Read more