by Joan Mitchell, CSJ
Easter is a spring event. Spring is its own liturgy. Earth awakens. Flowers poke stems above ground toward the warmth of sun. Creation testifies to God’s sustaining presence. Creation growing makes God visible just as Jesus makes visible who God is and reveals love is God’s life-giving power.
The walk to Emmaus in Sunday’s gospel becomes a liturgy on foot for two of Jesus’ disciples. They talk about the scriptures (liturgy of the word) and break bread together with a stranger (liturgy of the eucharist).
As they tell how Jesus took hold of their hearts and hopes, the two get excited all over again about who Jesus is. Conversation with the stranger stirs the embers of their faith into flame. Breaking bread together reveals the stranger is Jesus with them.
So many times conversation over dinner repeats the liturgy of friendship. Talking together stirs the embers of old understandings and bursts new insights into flame. The shared meal sends us forth humming, feeling understood and understanding, in communion.
- With whom have you talked and eaten lately?