Luke 24:13-35 They Thought Too Much(Click here for readings)
God knows when we are having a bad day and even invites us to "be glad and rejoice in it."
The Shepherd had been killed and his sheep scattered. Some of the Lord's most intimate friends were locked in a room. Others had no were to hide, and so decided to walk home and return to their former way of life. I asked myself this morning why did some stay and others leave? What made all the difference? I think the answer is in how each disciple handled the situation. Some prayed and others did not. In the case of our two young disciples, they thought too much and prayed too little.
Our faith in Jesus Christ is both immensely spiritual and immensely intellectual. It feeds the soul and body, just like the Eucharist. The famous English convert Robert Hughes Benson understood the need to place his emotions below his Reason and Will, because both reason and will are objective, whereas emotions are purely subjective. At times he didn't feel like worshipping the Lord, but he knew he had to. At times he didn't fully understand the reasons for certain devotions, but formed his will and accepted them. At times, he didn't feel like converting to the faith, but he took a leap of faith and did it.
The disciples on the road to Emmaus were downcast, drained and frightened, and what did they do? They made a decision: they left, and it was a big mistake. We should never make an important decision when we are emotionally drained or in a poor state of mind. They thought too much, way too much and on the wrong things! There is no mention of them ever praying for light, for faith. They were blinded not by the light but by darkness. The Lord opened their eyes by burning their hearts. He brought "understanding" to them which evedntaully led to the bringing of himself.
We have to be very careful not to turn our feelings into thoughts: "The Lord hates me!" or "God has forgotten me!" Worse, "The Lord no longer loves me!" Rubbish! Nonsense! Feelings or emotions that diguise themselves as thoughts are called, "nonsense."
Why is this account so important, so powerful? Because at times we can feel downcast. It is at these moments that we turn to "The Eternal facts of our Faith." God has created me; God loves me; God died for me; God wants me.
The lost disciples turned back towards Jerusalem to share the Good News with the others. They told them what had happened. They were interrupted by the tears and laughter of the others. In different ways, they had come to the truth and could all say, "The Lord has truly been raised and we are witnesses to Him who lives forever."
I am sure they broke bread later that evening!
It is good to feel good. It is better to know better. But it is best to pray at all times.
“The disciples on the road to Emmaus were downcast, drained and frightened, and what did they do? They made a decision: they left. We should never make an important decision when we are emotionally drained or in a poor state of mind. They thought too much, way too much and on the wrong things! There is no mention of them ever praying for light, for faith. They were blinded not by the light but by darkness. …………………….The Lord opened their eyes by burning their hearts. He brought "understanding" to them which evedntaully led to the bringing of himself.”
ReplyDeleteI love this because even though the disciples may have allowed their emotions to direct their actions and lead them away, the Lord appeared to them, not the ones who stayed, who held on to their faith.
I have experienced His mercy and compassion, His grace and blessings when I was so close to the edge when my faith was down to a mustard seed.
Yes it is better to keep the faith and hold on to His promises, to hold on to the truth and prayer is absolutely a must, but even when we fail, in His mercy and love, He reaches out and burns our hearts with His love,joy and peace. He infuses our souls with understanding and brings us to Himself.
At least that’s been my experience. I think He loves to save those hanging on to the ledge with their fingertips, who are still calling out His name.
“It is better to think less and love more.” Teresa of Avila
ReplyDeleteOMG! Father, I think you have hit the nail on the head! As Americans, we think way too much (emotionally) and love way too little. We have to understand something fully before we plunge into “believing” it. I was totally that way!!! B/c I was not able to wrap my brain around the teachings of the Eucharist (or other Catholic teachings) I was not willing to believe! I have learned the hard way that light comes from loving, not thinking about religion, not trying to understand the Eucharist, not even apologetics….. even though my brain kept me thinking about all of this. It is when I truly began to love the neighbor in front of me that I began to understand God’s ways….. in the measure that I loved. “ I will manifest Myself to those who love me, who live according to my word.”…which lead me to ….. “ If you say you love God but hate your neighbor, you are a liar.” (OK, I know that the hardest people to love are the ones that we live with – they are the ones that can hurt us the most.) I couldn’t believe how my spiritual life changed when I began to love the person that God put in front of me in every present moment!! I tried to see Jesus in each person that I met, not the person. Jesus is in each person that is living on the face of this earth – if they know it or not. Sometimes, I think that we act ugly b/c we don’t really believe that we are good enough for Jesus to be present in our own souls.
Jesus, I beg You to give me the grace to see You in every person I meet. I ask you for the experiences I need to realize this Truth ever more each day.
Father,
ReplyDeleteI've had a friend for a while now who's been having bad thoughts about God. Even saying to me " when i die i'm going to punch God in the face". i've asked him why. Because his Sister has a terminal illness and his mother is stricken with mental illness. It does sadden me to think he thinks God is doing this. I've been trying to think of a way i could show him or tell him how this isn't God's way. That God does loves all his children. so I did share this today on Facebook hoping that he would see this.
I find that prayer helps direct my thoughts towards productive action.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this meditation, Fr. Alfonse.
Also, I thank you for this insight - "We have to be very careful not to turn our feelings into thoughts."