Today's Scripture is suitable to use with Imaginative Contemplation.
Stilling: Come into the presence of God and still yourself
Grace: At this time of need: to be open, to be touched, and to be formed by God who IS love and compassion.
Prayer Suggestion: Imagine yourself on the road with Jesus.
What has been going on for you?
What might you be talking about?
Stay with the conversation long enough to hear Jesus’ reply.
If and when you feel the prayer has deepened perhaps invite Jesus, “Stay with us”.
Or you may imagine you are the woman preparing a meal, as in the picture, and perhaps listening in to the conversation.
What do you make of it?
Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus Himself came near and began to walk along with them. But they were prevented from recognising Him.
Then He asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.
The one named Cleopas answered Him, “Are You the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?”
“What things?” He asked them.
So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a Prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified Him. But we were hoping that He was the One who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, and when they didn’t find His body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see Him.”
He said to them, “How unwise and slow you are to believe in your hearts all that the prophets have spoken! Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer these things and enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
They came near the village where they were going, and He gave the impression that He was going farther. But they urged Him: “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them. It was as He reclined at the table with them that He took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognised Him, but He disappeared from their sight.
Conversation: Have a talk with Jesus about what has struck you during this meditation.
Finish with a final prayer such as the Lord's Prayer/Our Father
Our own stories may not sound very different from the two downcast disciples on the road to Emmaus: we too may have a past that makes little sense to us.
But we are invited to tell our stories to the Lord, to listen to him as he speaks, and to recognise him in the breaking of the bread and in the breaking and sharing of ourselves with each other.
Only then can we look with understanding at the past, and with hope look to the future.
What makes your heart burn within you?
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