4 April 2018 - St Isidore of Seville (560-636) - Wednesday of the Octave of Easter - Luke 24: 13-35

   There is a saint named Isidore the Farmer, a poor laborer who was born in Madrid, Spain in the 11th century, who was known for his humility, piety, and love for the poor. Today, we celebrate another saint who is from Spain who is also named Isidore - St Isidore of Seville.  Isidore of Seville was the Archbishop of Seville for more than three decades in the early 7th century; he is considered the last of the Early Church Fathers. He is a Doctor of the Church and one of the great theologians and scholars of the Early Church, with his crowning achievement being the Etymologiae, a 20 volume work that is an encyclopedia of universal knowledge of the Christian faith, the first such work of its kind.  This is great quote of his, definitely reflecting his personality and the mind of a scholar: “If a man wants to be always in God's company, he must pray regularly and read regularly. When we pray, we talk to God; when we read, God talks to us.” 

       We celebrate Isidore of Seville today in the Octave of Easter as we celebrate our risen Lord, and as we hear about the disciples on the Road to Emmaus.  A theological knowledge of our faith is important, as evidenced by figures in our Church such as Isidore, but as our Gospel illustrates today, nothing can substitute for a personal encounter and relationship with Christ.  These disciples on the Road to Emmaus presumed Jesus to be dead, so they did not recognizing him appearing before them.  Yet, through their interaction with Jesus, through the kindness they offer to a supposed stranger, through them breaking open God’s word and breaking bread together, they recognize him and they believe. This encounter inspires them to share their experiences and to bring the Gospel message to others.  We, too, are called to offer acts of kindness to the stranger and the broken.  We, too, are to break open God’s word, to have his word interact with the reality of our lives.  And in the Eucharist, in the breaking of the bread around the Lord’s table, we are to receive nourishment, encouragement and, life. Yes, like the disciples on the Road to Emmaus, we also are pilgrims on a journey.  May we never forget that.