The Community at Prayer
Reflection by Father Paul M. Baca
May 8, 2011, 3rd Sunday of Easter

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The gospel reading from Luke for today holds a high interest for me because it highlights how words and action go hand in hand and they are both of great importance. First, the disciples share the news that something of importance has happened to someone in a very unjust way. "'What are you discussing as you walk along?' They stopped, looking downcast. One of them named Clopas said to him in reply, 'Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that are taking place there in these days?' And he replied to them, 'What sort of things?' They said to him, 'The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and they crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us; they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find the body; they came back and reported that they indeed had seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive.'"

"Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on further. But they urged him, 'Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.' So he went in to stay with them and it happened that while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it and gave it to them. With that, their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight."

They rejoiced because now they knew he was alive, so they immediately returned to Jerusalem to share the good news with the others. It always amazes me that they listened attentively as he interpreted the scriptures but it was only in the breaking of the bread that they recognized him. The breaking of the bread has become symbolic with the care that we must have for each other and how God blesses that care that he has given. In Spanish, there is a strong saying that I heard often in my home and in the many villages that I served, "El pan partido Dios lo aumenta."

For me this gospel from Luke is like a creed because it contains the essential elements of my faith. We have the scriptures, the teachings of the fathers and the church, and then we have the sacraments. So, if we believe, really and truly, we will try to do what Jesus did. He proclaimed his beautiful teaching summarized in the law of love, and he lived it to its fullness. St. James poses a question to us, Can there be faith without good works? In the gospel for today, St. Luke reminds us that where there is the breaking of the bread for real loving concern for others, there is love. And when there is love, there is God.

In view of the many natural disasters that the human family has experienced of late, we see the exemplary concern of people for people expressed in the many helpful, good deeds done for others. And so often even victims reaching out to other victims in whatever way they can. This motivates us to reflect that in the midst of extreme greed and self indulgence on the part of those that have more than enough, we, if we look can find the many who even with great sacrifice give of themselves to help others find a life with dignity. Life for me is a journey full of opportunities to co-create with God and others a little bit of heaven here on earth to prepare us for the fullness of life, joy and happiness in heaven.

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Hello, My name is Janet Stephan. Fr. Baca may or may not remember me. I was Janet Elliott when I knew Fr. Baca. I served with him in Bernalillo the school year of 1963/64. I was a lay volunteer at the School. When I left Bernalillo it was to marry John Leary. I wanted Fr. Baca to know what wonderful memories I have of that year and how much I enjoyed being there and what a blessing it was to serve with him. I also want him to know that I am safe in the Lord's care. I know that one day I will be with him in heaven praising God and enjoying sitting at the feet of Jesus. May the Lord bless and keep him safe from all harm. Thank you Fr. B for all you gave to me.

Janet Elliott Leary Stephan
Thornton, CO