52 Weeks at the Table – Week 47

Two men walking to a village called Emmaus were given a rare opportunity to see the resurrected Jesus, yet like Mary in the garden (John 20:11-18) did not immediately recognize Him. The text literally says that they were kept from recognizing Him. Perhaps because He had been so physically abused and tortured that even faith could not let them hope to see Him whole again. Yet as they discussed with Him His own story – His gospel! – their hearts burned within them.

It was at the table, after he had taken bread and given thanks for it, had broken it and had begun to share it with them that their eyes were opened … and they recognized Him for who He was. When we gather at the table, we have the same opportunity to recognize Jesus for who He is, in the broken bread and the cup of thanksgiving. Will we see Him broken for us; His blood given for us? Will we recognize Him – not just as powerful prophet – but as Messiah and Savior and risen Son of God? Will our hearts burn within us?

A Prayer Over the Bread

Our Lord and our God, we see before us the body of Your Son Jesus, broken in every way but in Spirit, just as this broken bread. It would seem impossible that something so broken could be whole again, yet the miracle of His resurrection proves that our broken lives, even when ended, can be made whole and perfect and purposeful and eternal as You wish them to be. We look forward to the time when our gratitude may truly last forever in Christ: Amen.

A Prayer Over the Cup

Thank you, our God, for this cup and the deep significance it has. In it we see the blood of our Lord. Help us also to recognize the life that it carried within Him, and still carries on within us: from each opportunity, to serve to our last moments in this life, to the next life and each opportunity to worship in glory forever. Amen.