On The Way...

Went to Mass today. Forgot to remain standing during the Consecration (Byzantines don't kneel during Bright Week). Forgot my camera (so much beauty during Easter).  Sung some of my favorite Easter songs. Prayed a lot. Gave thanks for my new niece. Nearly cried several times.  Received Christ in Communion--where I am now closest to Momma.  Sang Alleluia. Continued on my way... to work, home, life in general. 

It's all part of being On the Way, isn't it? I think I will remian in Holy Saturday for a while--waiting and mourning and hoping.  "Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord!"  Rejoice as you seek. Rejoice in the hope that He has promised. 

Hope always. Rejoice always. 

Alleluia.

.......

And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus Himself drew near and walked with them...

"What are you discussing as you walk along?" 

"Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?" 

[I can see Jesus' eyes smiling and sparkling as He replies, "What sort of things?" Like a lover about to propose.]

They said to Him, "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene."  [They share everything. That Jesus was a mighty prophet in word and in deed and that He was betrayed and crucified.  They tell Him their hopes that He was the one to redeem Israel--lost hopes.  They share their confusion and anxiety that Jesus' body is no longer in the tomb.  Despair is in their voice.  And yet I can see Jesus smile, and even laugh a little when He makes His reply.] 

"Oh, how foolish you are!"  [Help, then, O Lord, my unbelief.]  "Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?"  

[And He opened their eyes to the Scriptures concerning Himself.  He gave new strength to their hopes, banished despair, and calmed their anxiety.  He confirmed the events they had experience in Jerusalem and blew away their confusion like dust with His words.]

"Stay with us," they urged Him.  [Mane nobiscum, Domine.]

So He went in to stay with them.  And it happened that, while He was with them at table, He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.  With that, their eyes were open and they recognized Him.  

They they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He spoke to us on the way?"  

[How does the Lord speak to me On the Way? Does my heart burn within me?]

So they set out at once [in the danger of night--such was their excitement!] and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, "The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon [and the women]!"

They the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. 

.....

But Peter looked intently at him, as did John,

and said, "Look at us ... I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you:  in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk."

Walk on the way to Him.