Burning hearts

Luke 24: 13 - 35

Did not our hearts burn within us....?

The disciples were in desolation. They had lost their master, they had seen him die a horrible death and yet, for most of Jerusalem, life went on as usual as the new week began. For them, hope was lost, and all they could see were the bare facts of the situation.

Such is the nature of desolation in our lives. Sometimes, it starts with an external situation - a loss, a disruption in life and so on - and very soon, it seeps into the spiritual realm such that we lose every sense of God's presence with us. We can only see as far as the situation itself.

The Lord does surprising things in and for us - as he did for the two downcast disciples. The times when we are in desolation deepen if we refuse to face the truth and share our hearts honestly and vulnerably with him - when we 'try harder' or 'give up' instead of seeking his perspective. Both ways, we grow self-focused, forgetting to 'look up'.

Consolation comes in a variety of ways. Sometimes, the Lord brings real change to the situation we face. At other times, he longs to draw us into his perspective, the eternal rather than the temporal, the long view of things rather than the immediate discomfort. If we are not ready, we fail to recognize consolation when it is granted. The two disciples were too caught up initially to recognize Jesus' presence with them. They were focused on their loss and were ready to 'give up' their hopes (symbolized by returning to their village, their former lives). But Jesus lovingly persisted, and at the right moment, their eyes were opened in recognition of his presence. They also recalled their 'burning hearts' as they looked back at the conversation with Jesus. Sometimes, it is the longer view, and spiritual review that helps us remember our sense of the Lord's presence.

The spiritual life alternates between consolation and desolation because of our frail faith. The Lord understands and invites us to turn our hearts and desires towards him. May the Lord grant us hearts that recognize his presence with us, more often.