"Stay With Us, Lord"

Caravaggio

Mane nobiscum, Domine! Stay with us, Lord! (Luke24:29) With these words, the disciples on the road to Emmaus invited the mysterious Wayfarer to stay with them, as the sun was setting on that first day of the week when the incredible had occurred. According to his promise, Christ has risen; but they did not yet know this. Nevertheless, the words spoken by the Wayfarer along the road made their hearts burn within them. So they said to him: "Stay with us." Seated around the supper table, they recognized him in the "breaking of bread - and suddenly he vanished. There remained in front of them the broken bread. There echoed in their hearts the gentle sound of his words.

from the Urbi et Orbi Message

of His Holiness Pope John Paul II,

Easter Sunday, March 27, 2005