With Burning Hearts - Eucharist This 4 week session is reflecting on the five chapters in Fr. Henri Nouwen's book "With Burning Hearts" on the Eucharist and the Eucharistic Life, using the Gospel story of the two disciples who walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus, and back. The story speaks about loss, presence, invitation, communion and mission, which embrace the five main aspects of the Eucharistic celebration. These five aspects form our movement from resentment to gratitude, or from a hardened heart to a grateful heart. We gather to celebrate the power of gratitude, and letting go of resentment. The Eucharistic celebration is what we are called to live; essentially one and the same - Eucharistic life. I. Suggested meeting format - (for each week) Each person should come prepared with the assigned pages read in the book for the week session or at least come prepared with the week s questions reviewed. A. Open meetings as normal; God sighting, etc. B. Read Gospel - Luke 24:13-35 -1st time - READ GOSPEL LUKE 24: 13-35 Remain silent for a few moments. -2nd time - READ NOTED PORTION OF THE ABOVE GOSPEL READING Ask if anyone wants to share thoughts on reading. Note: The first time the whole Emmaus story is read. The second time just the portion you will be studying that particular week is read. C. Share reflection questions for the week. D. End as normal - prayer request and final closing prayer. 1
GROUP DISCUSSION FROM BOOK- Week One (Prior to meeting, read: pp. 11-35-old version, pp. 9-41-revised version) GOSPEL READING: LUKE 24: 13-24 1. Introduction 1. What does the Eucharist mean to you? Has its meaning evolved during your life? 2. Nouwen asks: How can all of my life be Eucharistic? What does he mean? 2. Mourning Our Losses - "Lord, have Mercy" 1. When have you felt like the two people on the Road to Emmaus? 2. How much resentment do we nourish in our heart throughout the day? 3. What are the differences between a hardened heart and a contrite heart? 4. What is the significance of the cry for mercy at the beginning of the Eucharist and the connection with gratitude? 2
GROUP DISCUSSION FROM BOOK- Week Two (Prior to meeting, read: pp. 37-50/44-61 & pp. 51-61/64-77) GOSPEL READING: LUKE 24: 25-29 1. Chapter II - Discerning the Presence This Is the Word of God 1. Nouwen describes in detail the encounter of the two travelers on the Road to Emmaus with the stranger who is Jesus. Have you ever had an encounter with a stranger that had a powerful effect on your life? 2. What is the importance of the service of the Word in the Eucharist? 3. What is the relationship between God s word and the Eucharistic life? 2. Chapter III - Inviting the Stranger I Believe 1. In what ways does seeing the Eucharist as an invitation to Jesus to stay with us - change our perspective on the sacrament? 2. Only with an invitation to come and stay with me can an interesting encounter develop into a transforming relationship. Why do we find it so difficult to invite Jesus into our lives? 3. "The table is the place of intimacy. What are the positive and negative aspects of this intimacy? 4. In our busy modern lives we often do not share meals with the members of our family. What do you believe we are losing by this lack of table fellowship? 3
GROUP DISCUSSION FROM BOOK- Week Three (Prior to meeting, read: pp. 63-76/80-97) GOSPEL READING: LUKE 24: 30-33 Chapter IV -Entering into Communion Take and Eat 1. How do you celebrate the Eucharist HERE at St. Michael parish? Is it the simple human gesture that Nouwen refers to or is it an elaborate ceremony? 2. The Eucharist is the most ordinary and the most divine gesture imaginable. Discuss this paradox. 3. Incarnation and Eucharist are the two expressions of the immense, self-giving love of God. What does this statement mean to you? 4. The word that best expresses this mystery of God's total self-giving love is Communion. Discuss the concept of communion that Nouwen develops. 5. Nouwen states that Eucharist is recognition. How does the deepest communion with Jesus invite us to recognize & create community? 6. How many times did we encounter people who made our heart burn but we did not invite them into or life? 4
GROUP DISCUSSION FROM BOOK- Week Four (Prior to meeting, read: pp. 77-95/100-126) GOSPEL READING: LUKE 24: 34-35 Chapter V - Going on a Mission Go and Tell 1. How are Cleopas and his friend who return to Jerusalem different from the two travelers on their way to Emmaus? Have you ever experienced a similar transformation? 2. Why is it so important to go and tell? 3. What are the difficulties of carrying the Eucharistic mission to our family and friends first? 4. The movement flowing from the Eucharist is the movement from communion to community to ministry. In what ways do you see this movement in your own life and here at St. Michael parish? 5. Nouwen says that our Eucharistic life is possible only when it is as much receiving as giving, as much being cared for as caring. Why is this so? 6. How is it possible to lead a life of gratitude? 5