...in the breaking of the bread

 Chapter 24 of St. Luke’s Gospel includes the story of  disciples on the road to Emmaus who encounter Jesus but do not recognize Him. When Jesus asks the subject of their conversation, they look “downcast” and pour out their hurt and disappointment saying, “You must be the only one around who doesn’t know what has happened!”  They tell him about Jesus’ death and how their hopes that He was the promised Redeemer are shattered.  Then, they mention, “Some women went to His tomb and found His body gone.  They claim an angel told them He is alive, but no one has seen Him.”

Jesus replies with something similar to, “Oh, ye of little faith.” Then, He walks with them and explains the Scriptures. It isn’t until they are sitting at table and He blesses and breaks the bread that they finally recognize Him.  Suddenly, they realize how His words had touched their hearts. (Were not our hearts burning within us?) With faith renewed, they return to Jerusalem to share their news.

Even as we pray for the return of our prodigal loved ones to Catholicism, many of us search for Jesus. Like those disciples, we may be praying, wanting to believe that Jesus is alive, but downcast, and sometimes even doubtful, because the answer to our prayer seems slow in coming.   We may be seeking renewal of our hearts that we might persevere in prayer and love, a stronger faith that we may trust the Lord totally, and asking for more power and  effectiveness in our prayers.  Where can we find all those things?  Let’s try walking  that road to Emmaus. He who is alive waits for us today.  Where shall we look for Him?  Let us go to the bread.

        He’s as close as the tabernacle in our church, close as the consecration at today’s Mass, close as the monstrance in our Adoration chapels. Sit awhile with Jesus at His table.  Feel the power of the Eucharist burning in your heart. Go to the Blessed Sacrament.

We asked our online prayer group to share experiences of the Eucharist with us.  One story is below. More are throughout this newsletter.

Before my son was born doctors couldn't detect a heart beat. I begged them to do a c-section. He was born on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.  Shortly after, I left the Church.

Later, I had a conversion experience, received an annulment and my new marriage was blessed. I tried to instill in my children a love for the Church, but, it didn't work out the way I had hoped.

My son left home after an argument. I didn’t see him for five months. I often went to pray in the Chapel on the military base.

One day, while praying as tears fell on my son's picture in front of me, I heard Navy personnel say, "She’s in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.”   

I gasped when I my son walked in. We were there, with Jesus, for some minutes before I turned to my son.  His reason for coming was to borrow some money. I knew it was Jesus who had found him and brought him back to me.

Soon, he met a lovely Catholic girl whose good example led him back to the Sacraments. Today, he faithfully attends Mass with his family.

Now, I pray for two other sons to return to the Faith. I believe that as it happened with one, it will happen with them.  Jesus I Trust in You.

I struggle to not try to "push" my non-practicing sons back into the arms of Christ and His Church. I trust when I do my pleading with God instead of with them, it will happen at the best possible time

~Name Withheld by Request ♥