HOLY MASS: WE KNOW HIM IN THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

 

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY

A Midweek Spiritual Workout with 
Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin

HOLY MASS: WE KNOW HIM IN THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

During the past Sundays at Holy Mass, we have read that after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to Peter and the Apostles, to Mary, His Mother, and His Mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene, and to many other disciples. Now, this week we will read that Jesus joins two disciples, one unnamed and the other known as Cleopas as they travel from Jerusalem on the road to Emmaus, an unfamiliar village. This was not accidental.

The travelers don’t recognize Jesus when He comes alongside them and joins their conversation. They show their surprise at His not knowing what happened during the last week in Jerusalem. So, they tell Him about all the events that occurred. They reveal their disappointment, their sadness, and their despair that their hope for the coming of the Messiah was dashed. They tell their unrecognized fellow traveler that all is lost. Then Jesus opens the scriptures and said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”

When Jesus accepted their hospitality, He joined them for supper, and they recognize Him in the breaking of the bread. The eyes of their minds, hearts, and souls were opened. What a revelation that must have been! Their hopes and dreams were suddenly revived, and their faith was renewed by the loving actions of Jesus.

Sometimes we go to church and experience disappointment or discouragement. We feel that we are not fed. We complain that the sermon wasn’t uplifting. The music was not inspiring. The parishioners were not welcoming. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus. We are dissatisfied, discouraged, and disillusioned. We are hungry for more and tend to escape to Emmaus.

Yet, Holy Mass is a smorgasbord, a banquet of plenty. In the Holy Mass, we encounter Jesus, and He reveals Himself to us through the opening of the scriptures and the breaking of the bread. The scriptures and the Eucharist are food for our souls. We get out of Holy Mass what we put into it. Bring an open mind, heart, and soul and leave with a satisfied mind, loving heart, and peaceful soul ready to share the Risen Lord with others. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we must allow our eyes to be opened.

On this Spiritual Workout Wednesday, let’s commit not only to attending Holy Mass frequently, but also to bringing an open mind, heart, and soul to the banquet. So that with the opening of the scriptures and the breaking of the bread, we can be fully fed for the work and the week ahead.