14. — The Effects of the Discourse of Jesus.

The Effects of the Discourse of Jesus.

Read St. Luke xxiv.  27-33.

[27] And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures, the things that were concerning him. [28] And they drew nigh to the town, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go farther. [29] But they constrained him; saying: Stay with us, because it is towards evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in with them. [30] And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them.

[31] And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight. [32] And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way, and opened to us the scriptures? [33] And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them,

1.  As Jesus speaks, the hearts of the two disciples burn within them.  Never had they heard such a discourse as this; never had they understood the meaning of the Scriptures, till they listened to the inspired words of this Divine Expositor.  How could they have been so blind before as not to have recognized, in the sufferings and death of Jesus of Nazareth, the fulfillment of the prophecies?  We, too, cannot understand Holy Scripture if we are left to ourselves; outside the Church, men read it, and find in it their own follies and fancies.  It is only those who are taught of God who can ever read God’s Word aright.

2.  Why did the words of Jesus thus carry them out of themselves, so that the walk to Emmaus seemed all too short?  It was because He who spoke was the Son of God; and there flowed into His words the grace of which His Sacred Heart was full.  It is just the same with the servants of Christ, whether priests or ordinary Christians — their words move the hearts of others in proportion to their own holiness.  How much more influence for good I should have if I were more holy!

3.  There was another reason why Our Lord’s words thus stirred the hearts of these two disciples.  It was because they were men of goodwill.  To such, the voice of God is sweet and attractive. “My sheep hear My voice,” says Our Lord; “I know Mine, and Mine know Me.”  The enemies of God are repelled by His voice and the voice of His ministers and of His Church; they criticize, instead of listening in humility.  What am I — a critic or a disciple?

 


This article, 14. — The Effects of the Discourse of Jesus. is a post from The Bellarmine Forum.
https://bellarmineforum.org/devotional/the-catholic-daily/resurrection-ascension-jesus-christ/14-effects-discourse-jesus/
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