Busyness Blinds

April 12, Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
Acts 3:1-10 and Luke 24: 13-35

Remember those instances when you got so busy on something that you either forgot something more important or that you failed to see what truly matters?

Such was the first part of the Gospel story today. Two of Jesus’ disciples were busy arguing and debating about what had happened instead of focusing on what lies ahead of them or who was actually walking with them and conversing with them. Their busyness prevented their eyes from recognizing Jesus.

How often does this happen to us? In our day-to-day busyness, how many times do we fail to recognize Jesus? How often have we not prayed or have we rushed our prayers or missed Sunday masses or failed to have meaningful soul-enriching encounters with others because we are busy with many other things including the most superficial of things?

Towards the end of the Gospel story today, there was a twist. The two disciples eventually recognized Jesus when they sat with Jesus at the table and saw Jesus break the bread. Before that, they urged Jesus to stay with them.

What is this telling us? Being with and taking time to be with Jesus opens our eyes to see what He is trying to reveal to us. It is when we set aside our busyness, lay down our concerns so that we can spend more time with Jesus that we can truly encounter Him.

No wonder! Many of us are lost and continue to wander aimlessly. We are seeking peace, love, contentment, happiness and meaning somewhere else. The psalm tells us, “Rejoice, oh hearts that seek the Lord.” The crippled man was cured because he paid attention to Peter and John, Christ’s disciples.

When things become wayward, may we learn to pause so that we can focus more on Jesus. Only then can we find our way to true happiness and peace!