Connection 

God on Monday
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When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him (Luke 24.30-31a) 

Reflection

Human connection is vital for our emotional well-being. We all need community and intimacy, even though we differ in how that can best be expressed. Connection with others helps us make sense of the world around us and navigate life's journey. 

I imagine that this is what the two friends in our reading from Luke’s gospel were doing as they journeyed away from Jerusalem after bearing witness to Jesus’ empty tomb. They were trying to make sense of what they had seen, heard and felt in the previous few days. And yet, the connection widens when a stranger joins them on their walk. This stranger asks questions about their experiences and then continues to ‘open the scriptures’ with them, highlighting who it is they are talking about. 

But do you notice when they realize that this stranger is Jesus? It is at the moment when ‘he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.’ That is when ‘their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.’
 
There was nothing special about the immediate context in which this happened. Jesus was sitting with two ordinary disciples at an ordinary table, breaking ordinary bread. He gave glory to God and then gave them some of the bread to eat. There is synergy here between this action and the journey that has just occurred. Jesus took the scriptures, pointed to God’s story, and gave the disciples the understanding they needed. It is in sharing with one another and glorifying God in ordinary everyday life that Jesus is found.

Response

• If you were to rate your connection with most people in your life on a scale of 1 to 10, where would you place it?
• Do you have people you can go for a walk with, or sit with around a table and talk about where you recognize God in your story?
• Who would you turn to with difficult questions?
• How might you expand or deepen your connection with others?

Prayer

Loving triune God and creator of all beings, help us understand the importance of living in community with one another and with you. Thank you for still joining us around the table, where we break bread, give you glory, recognise your presence, and let our hearts burn with understanding and compassion. Show us how to better live out our calling to community in every sphere of our lives, including in our work. Amen.

This Week's Author

God on Monday is produced in partnership with the Church of England. The reflections are based on the scriptural readings designated for the coming Sunday in the Church's lectionary. You can sign up to Faith in Business here to receive each God on Monday instalment.  

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