Sunglasses

Summer will be here soon, we hope, and the sun will be bright and blinding.  Sunglasses of many styles will be sported on every burnt nose.  But blinding summer light typical of a Cape Cod sunset faced while driving west on route 151 puts us at risk of missing something important – like a giant pothole gaping in front of us or a car making a cellphone-blinded turn onto the highway and into our path.  Our eyes are prevented from recognizing the danger.

In today’s Gospel, two of Jesus’ disciples head to the village of Emmaus, and they talk about and debate all that occurred.  Jesus draws near and walks with them, but their eyes are prevented from recognizing him.  Is the sun in their eyes as they walk along that road to Emmaus?

More likely, they found it hard to see what was right in front of them, like all of us.  Do we know that Jesus is always near and walks with us?  Are we preoccupied with everyday life and troubles (sun in our eyes) so we forget to call upon God for assistance? 

Consider the first reading from Acts in which Peter quotes King David: “I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted…You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”  Can we say the same?

Perhaps the best we can do is respond like the two on the way to Emmaus and simply say, “Jesus, stay with us.”   This is a needed response when the dark times in our lives come symbolized by the disciples’ plea and its timing: “…for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over...”  The light of Christ can make the dark bearable.

But asking Christ to stay with us means we must break bread with him and those around us in order to open our eyes, like the disciples: “…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 opened and they recognized him…” 

Our eyes are opened when we break bread and eat at the table with family and friends.  This mutual sharing when we talk and debate about “all that’s occurred” (during the day) helps us see Christ in all of us.  We recognize him in others. 

The Lord is truly raised and appears to us whenever we walk down our own roads to Emmaus, put on our sunglasses, and stop to share a meal along the way.

Deacon David Pierce