Reflection Sunday 26 April 2020

​Made known in the breaking of bread

Scripture reading: Luke 24:13-15

Aristotle thought of God as the prime mover, something that by attraction causes all things to move, but itself did not move, something that does not depend on anything else for existence. Yet, in the book of Genesis the stories tell of a God who moves toward people, who seeks people out, who comes close and meets with them, journeys with them, walks with them, eats with them, reveals something of God’s nature to them, communicates with them, and wants to be in relationship with them. The stories of the Old Testament continue to speak of a God who seeks people out and who comes to them.

In the story commonly referred to as the walk to Emmaus, on the evening of the first Easter day, Jesus comes to two of the disciples and walks with them. As they walk, Jesus explains to them what all the Scriptures say about himself and how the Messiah would suffer before being glorified; yet, they do not recognise him. It is only when he sits at the table with them, when he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them, did they recognise him. It was then that their eyes were opened. Jesus had come to them as God always comes to us, as God always surrounds us, even though we may never recognise God’s presence. The Lord’s supper reminds us of God’s constant presence and God’s undying love for us, revealed in the suffering Jesus. God moves toward us in love and invites us to move too; towards God and towards others in love.

Prayer: O God in whom we live and move and have our being, may we recognise your presence, not only in the breaking of bread and in the gathering for worship but in every place and time and circumstance. May we know that you flow to us and to all creation in love and life. May our eyes be opened. May our hearts respond to your love. May we live. Amen.

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