Womb — Tomb — In the Body
There is an analogy that Christ is in the tomb three times: in the womb, in the tomb, and in the body. This past Sunday, we heard the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. These disciples experience all three. They are pregnant with faith and experiencing the preaching and teaching of Jesus, their faith burst forth into the world. They continue to follow Jesus, but then they experience the Passion and crucifixion of Jesus. In a sense, they enter the tomb with Jesus as they believe him to be dead forever. They thought Jesus was going to redeem Israel, this was their hope that was obliterated. Eventually, they encounter Jesus in the breaking of the bread, and so they take the whole person of Jesus (revealed) into themselves. Their faith renewed, the memory of the Passion, but the truth of the resurrection burst forward in them and they go on to teach others what Jesus shared with them. They go out to have Jesus burst forward into the world through them. Isn’t this our story too! Are we ready for Jesus the Christ to burst forward into the world through us. When we receive the Eucharist, are we putting Jesus in a tomb to stay there, or are we receiving the whole person of Jesus, ready to have him burst forward into the world through us? In the womb, in the tomb, and in the body!
May 15, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Can anyone tell me who painted this picture of Christ and his 2 disciples on the road to Emmaus? I would love to get a copy of the print.
July 3, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Wouldn’t it be the God the Holy Spirit intombed in my poor excuse for a vessel? I also thought it was the God Holy Spirit who emboldened and sent them out to reach the world.
I do love the thought of Jesus bursting forth through us to the world…thanks for the encouragement!