Sunday, 23 April 2023

Welcoming Jesus

'The meeting at Emmaus' by Emvin Cremona, Senglea church, Malta.

The meeting of Jesus with the disciples at Emmaus today makes me think of a similar situation which can happen to us. What if Jesus decided to come to your house today? Let’s say you hear a knock on the door, and you find Jesus there asking if He could spend a day or two with you. I’m sure you’ll give Him the best room of the house, cook for Him the best meal, and invite Him to go around your town. And tell Him how proud you are to have Him visit you. But when you see Him at the door, would you be ready to open your arms to embrace His presence, or would you have to excuse yourself while you change your clothes? Would you go running to hide the magazines and photo albums and replace them with a copy of the Bible? Would you quickly turn the radio and TV off, and cover the computer screen, and regret you have uttered that harsh comment about your siblings?

Would you quickly replace the paintings you have hanging and put in their place a crucifix and a picture of the Blessed Mother which you had hidden in the attic ? Yes, it would be worth reflecting on whether you would continue to do the things you did before ? Or use the same language you used before ? Maybe you start saying Table Grace, if you haven’t been saying it before you eat ? Would you take Jesus along where you had planned to go, or maybe you change your plans for a day or two ? Would you be delighted to have Him meet your close friends, or would you rather they stay away for a few days ? Ask yourself if a day like this would make you happy or uncomfortable ? Would you show happiness by His presence, or sigh with relief when He at last is gone ?  Now although many of you may be thinking this is a hypothetical situation, a fictitious scenario that would never happen, but effectively it is not, because Jesus is present in our midst everywhere, every day.

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