“..But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” Mark 16:7
“As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20
Jesus sent His disciples to meet Him in Galilee, where He first called His earliest disciples. In their time of stress, fear and worry, He sent His disciples back to where it all began. Back to where they first saw Jesus and knew. Back to the moment their hearts were set on fire.
“That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” Luke 24:33-35
Jesus, in one of His first acts on Easter morning chased after two of His disciples who were overwhelmed and fleeing. He came to them, spoke to them of all what scripture said about Him and then, revealing Himself in the Eucharist, Jesus sent them to proclaim, hearts set again ablaze.
In our times of stress and worry, when our faith is weak and wavering, go back to the moment you first saw Him. Walk back through scripture in the pages you first recognized Jesus. Go back to that moment when your heart was set on fire.
For me, there are several big moments. But, the one that stands out as that Emmaus moment, the moment in the empty tomb was that night I feel to my knees, begging Jesus into my life. Watching a documentary on the Passion of Christ, months into search again for my lost faith, I broke down. My net was empty, I had nothing but worry and fears. Then, I dropped to my knees, begged Jesus to come and rule my life. And, my heart was on fire. I knew Jesus had answered and poured the fire of His Spirit into my soul.
Ponder today your moment. Journal about it, but, draw it into your heart and save it for those dark days when faith isn’t easy. Then, go back “to Galilee” and “Emmaus”. Remember when you first saw Jesus and be renewed. Let your heart be set on fire again.
Jesus sends us forth into the world to share His news and spread the fire from our heart. Capture that moment and share the blaze