Supper with Emmaus

Supper at Emmaus

A wonderful painting of the scene at Emmaus where the two travellers recognised Jesus as the Resurrected Christ (Luke 24:13-32) is a favourite theme of Rembrandt. He frequently returned to this scene in his sketches and paintings. This oil painting titled The Supper at Emmaus completed in 1648 during his so-called ‘mature’ years was in complete contrast with another painting one the same theme that was done during his ‘younger’ years.

The simplicity of the composition is what make this painting powerful. Jesus breaking bread during a meal with two fellow travellers. Someone is serving them. The central focus is Jesus with his calm features and the warm light radiating from him; illuminating Jesus Himself, the bread and the table. There is a look of shock on one of the traveller’s face as he recognised Jesus. The sense of shock is illustrated by the posture of the other traveller. The meal seems to be in a large cavernous hall. Jesus’ radiance seems to be driving back the darkness in the archway and doorway. This painting conveys the shock of revelation in a calm and controlled way.

Spiritual knowing or revelation is often shocking as it challenges our worldviews. Yet it should not be noisy and chaotic. Spiritual revelation often occurs in a calm and controlled environment. Like during an ordinary meal, walking in the park or quiet in our prayer cell. It is not dramatic. There should not be theatrics involved. There is no sense of hurry. The revelation would unfold in its own time.

Compare that to our busy, hurried and noisy world. Interconnectivity, television and the Internet have created a generation with short attention spans. All information should be conveyed in 5 seconds sound bites by talking heads. There is no place for serenity and peacefulness. We are always in a hurry. God is not in a hurry. Rembrandt tried to show us as Jesus revealed Himself as fully God and fully man, it was done in a calm and peaceful way.

Many of us would have scanned the painting before reading my words. Look at the painting again but this time spends more time with it. Look at different parts of the painting and let it talk to us. Imagine during dinner with a friend. He seems vaguely familiar but you just cannot place him. Suddenly he looks at you and smiled. Instantly, like a flash of lightning, you recognise him as Jesus Christ! He continues to smile in a gentle and compassionate way and offers you a piece of his bread. There seems to be a radiance emanating from him. This is my body broken for you. There is a strong feeling of peace, rest and refreshing in his presence. Come to me you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Let the light from Christ embrace us.


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Walking the Labyrinth with the Psalms

labyrinth at Lifesprings Canossian Spirituality Centre, Singapore

“O God, you will show me the path of life and fill me with joy in your presence.”
                                                                                                                                Psalm 16:11

A labyrinth is a pattern on the ground in which there is a long pathway that leads to the centre. Once reaching the centre, you may follow path back to the entrance which is also the exit. Generally, there are three stages to the walk: releasing on the way in, receiving in the center and returning when you follow the path back out of the center of the labyrinth. Symbolically, and sometimes actually, you are taking back out into the world that which you have received.

The first documented example of a labyrinth we have is from 324 A.D. when Christians placed a labyrinth on the floor of their church in Algiers, North Africa. Many of the early church fathers including Ambrose, Gregory of Nyssa, and Jerome wrote about labyrinths as a metaphor to illustrate important Christian beliefs. 

There is no right way or wrong way to walk a labyrinth. Use the labyrinth in any way that meets your needs while being respectful of others who may be walking on the path. You may stop anywhere along the path to mediate, pray or be in silence. You will often meet others walking the path in the opposite direction. Simply step around them. Walk at your own pace; you may even pass others who may be in front of you. Take your time. Walk slowly. Do what feels natural to you -- some walk steadily, some cover their faces with scarves, some dance, some twirl and dance, some stop often. At the center you may sit, kneel, stand, change positions or directions, pray, meditate, or do silent reading or writing.

                                    “Be still and know that I am God.”
                                                                                        Psalm 46:10

To prepare for walking, you may want to sit quietly to reflect before stepping onto the labyrinth. Some people come with questions, others just to slow down and take time out from a busy life. Some come to find strength to take the next step. Many come during times of grief and loss.

In walking the labyrinth with the psalms, we are to read a psalm while walking the labyrinth. Select a psalm from the list below or choose one of your own.

Psalms 1; 8; 23; 27; 42; 46; 48; 63; 84; 108; 111; 139; 143; 147

The idea is to stick to meditating/praying one particular psalm for the whole duration of this walk, using it to pray, meditate and contemplate. Read the psalm slowly. Meditate and listen to each word, sentence and paragraph. Restart at the beginning of the psalm when you have reached the end.

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