Easter Season with the First Disciples: Cleopas


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“As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’”
—Luke 24:28–32

Upon reading about Cleopas on the road to Emmaus, I realized that his words “Stay with us” are an incredible prayer.

The first word, stay, expresses my desire to be with Jesus. By asking him to stay, I am inviting and welcoming him into my life. Such an encounter, the Gospels make abundantly clear, will transform me in ways I cannot imagine.

The word with helps me remember how close God is to me, and how close I am to God. God is not some distant deity off in the heavens doing whatever it is deities do. Rather, God wants to be present to me and to spend time with me. And like any good friendship, I like to spend time with those who enjoy my company.

Finally, the word us emphasizes that God shares. Nothing is done alone or in isolation. To love, serve, and praise God is something that I do in community: we are all brothers and sisters. A meal with the Lord is a meal that I share with as many people as possible.

“Stay with us” is a prayer that is at once both humble and magnanimous, just like the Lord himself.

by Bob Burnham, author of Little Lessons from the Saints

Easter Action
► Pray with the 3-Minute Retreat: Our Eyes Were Opened.
► Read Our Road to Emmaus by Lisa Kelly.

© Copyright 2017 Loyola Press. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission – https://www.loyolapress.com. https://www.ignatianspirituality.com

WRITTEN BY: Stephen Sander