Hearts Burning with Love – Luke 24:13-35 Reflection
I am certain that you have your own reminders that cause your heart to flame in love. When one of my daughters was young, she made a foam rectangle with a glued-on Cross with the words He is Alive. I put it above the whiteboard in my office in a fatherly act. Each time I glance at the cross, my heart warms. Now, as a grandfather, when I am with my grandchildren, I become mesmerized by their innocence. I feel my heart burning as John of the Cross’s expression of Jesus as a living flame of love that combines with the love for my entire family. We can feel our hearts burning with love for those present and past in synergy with Jesus, who breaks bread with us because He is alive.
The Pilgrims of Emmaus on the Road by James Tissot (full-resolution image of painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Eastertide Reflection
Luke 24:13-45 – Scripture*
The Walk to Emmaus
13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19 He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” 25 Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 24:13-35 Reflection – Hearts Burning with Love.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Luke 24 passage.
This site follows the guidelines for image web use at the websites of the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum.
Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Hearts Burning with Love
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.