3rd of Easter 2011
May 2011
We see in today’s gospel how two of Jesus’ followers could not recognise him until he ‘broke bread’ with them.
As you know, what we call the ‘Mass’ today was known as ‘the breaking of bread’ to the early Christians.
In other words they could not recognise Jesus of Nazareth until he celebrated Mass with them although he was with them and talking to them all along.
Many of us Catholics are the same.
The very heart of Christianity is an active, ever present attitude of gratitude to our God. This attitude of gratitude which pervades my life motivates me to participate, with others of God’s family, in the supreme act of thanksgiving - the Mass.
My participation in the Mass presupposes an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving in my everyday life and must lead to greater gratitude and thanksgiving to my God.
To illustrate what I mean I will quote to you a piece I came across recently.
‘Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes, we have plenty of food to eat.
Thank you for this pile of dirty laundry, we have plenty of nice clothes to wear.
And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds. They were so warm and so comfortable last night. I know that many have no bed.
My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy towels and dirty lavatory. They are so convenient.
Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly, it has served us faithfully for many years. It is full of enough leftovers for a few meals.
Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today. It has baked so many things over the years.
Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says you have richly blessed my family. I shall do them all cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.’