Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over. (Luke 24: 29)
What I would like to discuss is the passage that points to Jesus walking with his two disciples. “As they approached the village to which they were going, Emmaus, Jesus gave the impression that he was going on farther. 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.”
When I first entered the C.PP.S. formation program, Br. Gabriel Bridges, C.PP.S., told me to first decline invitations to people’s kindness. I was to say, “Oh I can’t accept you paying for this meal.” Br. Gabriel said do not be so eager to accept an act of kindness or people will see that you are too wanting. He said after you have declined once then accept the gift. Jesus is playing this same game, I believe. He gave the impression that he was going on farther, that he had better things to do, but Jesus truly wanted to stay with these two disciples. He wanted to stay with them just as much as they wanted Jesus to stay with them.
It is my belief that Jesus is so in love with us. Jesus is a perfect gentlemen and he does not make us do anything we do not want to do. Give Christ permission to enter every aspect of your life. Allow the joy of the resurrected Christ to enter your hearts in the weeks ahead. God bless you all.
Rev. Tony Fortman, C.PP.S.
Cincinnati Province