16. — The Divine Guest. - The Bellarmine Forum

The Divine Guest.

Read St. Luke xxiv. 30-35

[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, [34] Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. [35] And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread.

1. Jesus, unable to resist the importunity of these two faithful hearts, deigns to be their guest; after He has shared their meal He provides for them a heavenly banquet. For the second time He consecrates the Eucharistic Bread, and feeds His entertainers with the sacred food of His own Body and Blood. Then at length their eyes are opened, and in the reception of the Divine mysteries they recognize that He who worked the marvel is none else than the Lamb that had been slain; the Great Prophet whom they had loved, but had not known Christ, their Lord, their Creator, and their King.

2. To open the eyes is one of the effects of a good Communion. When I receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ I should make use of the happy moment to ask His advice, to consult Him on my difficulties, to pray for more light, to beg that self-love and obstinacy of will and pertinacity of judgment may not blind my eyes. Why do I not make more of the brief time during which He is my guest, and is therefore bound to listen to me?

3. No sooner had the two disciples received holy Communion and made an act of faith in the Divinity of Jesus than He vanishes from their sight. How their hearts burn with joy, and Peace, and gratitude, and love, and devotion! How could they have ever doubted! Oh, what happiness is theirs as they hasten back to Jerusalem to communicate the joyful news to those whom they had left in sorrow and distress!