Becoming Bread for the World

Devotional Reflection, Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Proper 9, the week of the fourth Sunday after Pentecost   

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Key phrase from today’s reading for reflection;

30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.

(You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.)

Daily Office Lectionary readings (BCP, 974)

AM Psalm 119:1-24; PM Psalm 12, 13, 14

1 Samuel 16:1-13; Acts 10:1-16; Luke 24:12-35

David's Reflections

This exquisite Lukan resurrection appearance story has given us one of our most beloved eucharistic prayers, "Be known to us in the breaking of the bread."  It also presents us with a sublime portrait of the Christian experience and the eucharistic life.  The risen Christ joined a couple disillusioned by his death and was unrecognized by them as they walked together.  How much of our daily journey do we walk without awareness of the presence of the Christ who takes each step with us?

Jesus addressed their discouragement by taking them through a rereading of the Old Testament in light of his messiahship.  They prevailed on him to stay in their home, because evening had settled on them.  Something he said or did, perhaps his characteristic way of breaking the bread, triggered their recognizing him.  At that moment he disappeared.  His presence, his teaching, and his encouragement had lifted their spirits and restored their hope, and they rushed to share that encouragement with the community in Jerusalem, morose and shattered by the loss of Jesus.

I find this a poignant and nourishing microcosm of our entire journey as believers in and followers of Christ.  The unrecognized and encouraging presence of the Christ becomes real to us around the table in the breaking of bread.  As in this story, when we feel forsaken and alone, Jesus seeks us;  he comes to us in bread and wine. Like them, we leave that table to share the good news of the risen Christ. The sacrament of Eucharist brims with missional power.

        What better reason for a church to have very open boundaries and to invite those without faith or those wandering from their faith?  Invite them to a feast where Jesus both serves as host and nourishment, to a table where his seeking of them becomes visible, to the feast of salvation every Sunday.  This story links Eucharist and mission.  The couple left the table and shared their experience.  Luke gives us a microcosm of the church’s eucharistic worship and mission.  We leave the table, filled with Christ’s loving presence, and become Eucharist for those not yet gathered with us at the table.  The Christ who becomes so available to us in bread and wine becomes available through us to others.

As Henri Nouwen observed in his creative book, a reflection on this passage,

"The Eucharist is the most ordinary and the most divine gesture imaginable.  That is the truth of Jesus. So human, yet so divine;  so familiar, yet so mysterious;  so close, yet so revealing!  But that is the story of Jesus who 'being in the form of God did not count equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are;  and being in every way like a human being, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross' (Phil. 2:18).  It is the story of God who wants to come close to us, so close that we can see him with our own eyes, hear him with our own ears, touch him with our own hands;  so close that there is nothing between us and him, nothing that separates, nothing that divides, nothing that creates distance."

. . . . .

"Jesus is God for us. God with us.  God within us.  Jesus is God giving himself completely, pouring himself out for us without reserve.  Jesus doesn't hold back or cling to his own possessions.  He gives all there is to give.  'Eat, drink, this is my blood . . . this is me for you.!" *

Sharing in Christ’s table opens the possibility of becoming more loving and giving, the prospect of transformation more fully into his image, the possibility of becoming more fully bread for others.

*Henri J. M. Nouwen, With Burning Hearts:  A Meditation on the Eucharistic Life (Maryknoll, NY:  Orbis, 1994), p. 67.

Collect of the Day, Proper 9

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to your with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 230-231)

A Collect for Grace

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100)

For the Diocese

O God, by your grace you have called us in this Diocese to a goodly fellowship of faith. Bless our bishop, our priest, and other clergy, and all our people. Grant that your Word may be truly preached and truly heard, your Sacraments faithfully administered and faithfully received. By your Spirit, fashion our lives according to the example of your Son, and grant that we may show the power of your love to all among whom we live; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  (BCP, 817)

A Prayer for Light

O Lord God Almighty, as you have taught us to call the evening, the morning, and the noonday one day; and have made the sun to know its going down: Dispel the darkness of our hearts, that by your brightness we may know you to be the true God and eternal light, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen.  (BCP, 110)

A Collect for Mission

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP, 101)

Daily Office Gospel, Luke 24:12-35

12But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. 18Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ 19He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ 25Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ 27Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. 28As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ 33That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer

Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer

Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer

Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer 

Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer 

Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer

Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer