Communion Joy

Think about Luke 24:28:35.  This is the end of the walk to Emmaus story.  The disciples Jesus met on the road have invited him into their home for a meal.  Jesus breaks and the bread, and they recognize him.

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; and he vanished from their sight. They 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?’ (30-32) 

Imagine for a moment their joy.  The Lord they thought had been crucified and was dead and buried is alive. I can't imagine it.  What wonderful joy.

In this story, for me, are the echoes of our communion ritual.  Sometimes we think of that as a "do this in remembrance of me" act.  Remember Jesus.  It is that, but it is more.  Jesus isn't just being remembered; he is present.  We are at a table with our Lord, in communion.  What joy that should bring to our hearts!  Christ is alive!