First Prelude: Behold the disciples urging our Blessed Lord to stay with them.
Second Prelude: O my Jesus, Who desirest to dwell in my heart, inflame it with Thy love, that I may seek and find my happiness solely in Thy presence.
First Point
JESUS PRETENDS TO GO FARTHER
When they drew nigh to the town, Jesus pretended to go farther, but the disciples urged Him to stay with them. Fascinated by the wonderful discourse of the stranger and completely enrapt by His amiability, they made vigorous efforts to persuade Him to stay with them. Not content with begging Him, as the gospel expressly states, “they constrained Him.” Most likely they used a sort of violence by placing themselves before Him and barring the way. How gladly did Jesus yield to their urging, His sole intention in pretending to go farther having been the desire to hear from His disciples the plea, “Lord, stay with us!”
Likewise, Jesus at times appears to be leaving us, but only that we may constrain Him by redoubled fervor in prayer, by greater confidence, by more profound humility, to manifest Himself to us and to comfort us by His visitations. In time of suffering, in sickness and danger of death, let us, therefore, often say, Lord, stay with us, to preserve us from impatience and discouragement, to teach us to praise and bless God for everything. Stay with us that faith may never waver, hope never grow dim, nor love grow cold. Lord, stay with us that night may not fall on our souls. Though the day of life wane, and we walk in the midst of the valley of the shadow of death, we shall fear no evil, because Thou, O Lord, art with us. Do I, as it were, use a holy violence with my Saviour when I fail to experience the bountiful effects of His presence?
Second Point
JESUS IS PERSUADED BY THE DISCIPLES
The pressing invitation of the disciples pleased the Lord and He yielded to their entreaties. How great was their delight and how did they strive to prepare the most agreeable reception for their Guest, Whom they had not yet recognized! Finally the moment had come when Jesus willed to reveal Himself to the two so slow of faith. Beyond a doubt, they had assigned Him the place of honor at the table, and according to custom, had asked Him to break the bread. As at the Last Supper, so now, Jesus took the bread into His hands and blessed it. At the moment in which He broke it to give it to them He lifted the veil from their eyes and they recognized Jesus, risen from the dead. Well may they have fallen at His feet, full of awe and reverence. Well may their hearts have burned with ardent love, but no sooner had they recognized their Master than He disappeared. Quickly passing was the grace that Jesus offered His disciples, but it consoled and strengthened them. It was no longer possible for them to remain in Emmaus. In spite of the late hour, they immediately returned to Jerusalem. They must tell the Apostles, whose depression of spirit they had shared, that their Master lives and that they had seen and conversed with him.
We are so happy as to know Jesus when He comes to us in Holy Communion. How do we prepare His abode for Him? Does He find therein the sentiments of a living faith, profound humility, ardent love, and childlike confidence? Is there no obstacle to the operations of grace in my soul? If I do not derive from Holy Communion the strength and grace necessary to the faithful discharge of my duties, then I must admit that my preparation is lacking. With what have I to reproach myself in this regard?
Affections: O my Saviour, how often has it been Thy most ardent desire to come to me, to take up Thy abode in my heart, and to manifest Thy presence by special marks of affection and the sweetest impulses of Thy grace. My tepidity and coldness have stifled any longing on my part for Thy happy, blessed presence, and constrained Thee rather to abandon me. Pardon, O my beloved Jesus, such indifference. Let Thy heart be moved by my sincere compunction and humility, and be Thou moved by my fervent petitions, to enter into my heart with Thy grace and love, and transform it through the fire of the Holy Spirit. “Stay with me, Lord,” I will then say with the disciples, for I, too, will always remain with Thee; remain with me, for in Thee is the source of life; stay with me during my earthly pilgrimage, that I may one day attain to Thee and remain with Thee for all eternity.
Resolution: I will frequently entreat my dear Saviour to abide in me with His grace and love.
Spiritual Bouquet: “Stay with us, for the day is now far spent.”
Prayer: O Jesus, living in Mary . . .
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