Luke 24: Holding Hands
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
We have visited the end of Luke’s Gospel several times in the past few years and we have spent time thinking about the enormity of what Jesus’ companions experienced. We have reflected on the faith they had in order to put their lives in danger as they spread the story of Jesus resurrected. We have thought about the immense hope these apostles carried with them into the world. And we have meditated on the limitless love they have for Christ and for us, their followers. These men and women left behind all they knew and risked all they had . . . because they could not do otherwise. Their lives had been changed irrevocably. We are called to do the same. We too may be transformed in Christ.
Our world calls us to other places, the place of fame, the place of prestige, the place of reputation, the place of comfort. Jesus returned to the eleven to help them bridge the gap between the world before and after his resurrection. He walked with them, spoke with them, ate with them, rallied them and sent them on. He does the same for us each day, knocking on our bedroom door to awaken us to the new dawn. All we need do . . . is let him enter.
From last evening’s prayer in MAGNIFICAT:
As people who turned to God from the subtle idols of self-seeking, let us pray in faith: Hold us by the hand!
When the possibility of gain blinds us to the needs of others, keep us from unseen snares of temptation: Hold us by the hand!
When the demands of the Gospel seem impractical amid conflicting values, keep us faithful to your commandment of love: Hold us by the hand!
When those in need of our attention and help inconvenience us, keep our eyes fixed on the compassion of Christ: Hold us by the hand!
When we find ourselves in the hectic whirl of living, being pulled apart by the voices of the world . . . we will find sanity when we come together to pray . . . for Christ is always where we gather. And so we might pause at noon each day to abide with one another for a time. May each of us feel Christ’s very real presence today.
Cameron, Peter John. “Prayer for the Evening.” MAGNIFICAT. 26.3 (2008). Print.
Image from: http://manvela.com/rains-terrify-me/
Written on October 27, 2008 and posted today as a Favorite.
The Noontimes 