Scripture:

Luke 24:35

The two then explained to them what had happened on the road, and how they had recognized the Lord when he broke the bread.

An Invitation to Break Bread

I love bread. Warm, yeasty, delicious bread. I love it buttered, dipped, toasted, and fried. Bread is special. Breadmaking is a labor of love requiring time, patience, and precision. Good bread satisfies, comforts, and delights. Luke reminds us that bread, or the breaking of bread, is also spiritual.

While walking to Emmaus, two disciples were focused entirely on their loss and failed to recognize Jesus as he walked with them. The resurrected Jesus was by their side, but the disciples didn’t realize it was him. And then, Jesus broke the bread. The eyes of the disciples opened.

While bread may have special powers, I believe it was more than the literal breaking of the bread that opened the eyes of the disciples.

The disciples’ invitation to a stranger, the intimacy of a shared meal, and the quiet break in an otherwise long and sad day all contributed to the bread-breaking miracle. Everything changed because they first invited the stranger, Jesus, to stay with them. While preparing the meal, the disciples changed their inward focus and engaged with their guest. They truly saw their guest for the first time.

Bread breaking, like bread making, is a labor of love. It starts with an invitation. When we invite Jesus to stay with us through the quiet and the chaos, we’ll recognize him at the communion table, see him in small acts of compassion, and know our peace is because he’s walking the road with us. The invitation changes everything!

Reflection Written by Karen Breuer

Prayer:

Dear God, I invite you to walk with me today. Please help me always to feel your presence and see your face in the kindness of others.

In Jesus's name, we pray, Amen.