Church of St. Mary at Clinton Heights

We’re well into the Easter Season as this third week after the Resurrection commences.  It hasn’t gotten ‘old’, however: this weekend we heard the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.  I wonder if we might take a fresh look from a different perspective: maybe we could consider this second Eucharistic meal–the first sacred sharing after the Resurrection of Christ–and reflect on the “Supper at Emmaus”.

This painting from 1601 by Caravaggio may provide deeper reflection and take you in many different directions: possibly you’re drawn to the external features of the two disciples who look worn out and tired; or maybe the innkeeper with his haggard look, and rough stubble;  perhaps the garments on the painting draw your eye as we see the effect light has on the tablecloth which will bear the sacred meal. All of these pathways to deeper reflection and greater appreciation for the gifts of the Eucharist and Resurrected Glory are valuable, yet I wonder if we might consider one further aspect: the progression of the Meal.

As the meal at the inn progresses, the earlier ‘liturgy of the Word’, if you will, which they shared on the road, flows into a Liturgy of the Eucharist when Christ blesses the bread and wine at the meal table, done in remembrance of the first Eucharistic celebration accomplished a few days earlier in the Upper Room and later fulfilled on the Cross.  “And it happened that, while He was with them at table, He took bread, said the blessing, broke it and gave it to them.  With that their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, but He vanished from their sight” (Lk 24:30-31).

In this painting, Caravaggio conveys the mystery of this sacramental moment by showing the viewer that this particular roll of bread has already been broken.  There is a piece of the bread roll already in front of Christ, and two other pieces, one each in front of the disciples.  The breaking of the bread, another early name for the Eucharist, has already taken place.  Furthermore, the attentive viewer will see that our painter has not placed a piece of the bread in front of the innkeeper.  He stands barely attentive, but more importantly, seemingly without recognition of what has thus taken place in the preceding faith-moment.  If you search the servant’s eyes, you will notice that his view is toward the top of the Lord’s head…he has not yet been drawn into the mystery of the Resurrection, nor the offering of Christ’s whole body and blood.  Still, the offering of the meal is still accessible to him, if he can only see it, appreciate it, and allow himself to be drawn by it and into it.

For us, we are so very blessed that the Lord’s offering of the Eucharist is continually shared: offered in the paschal Triduum of Christ, offered again at Emmaus house, and offered again and again–over and over–in all the corners of the world.  May we see Him, and become one with each other and with Christ.

A blessed continuation of this glorious Easter Season!

Fr. David

 

Last weekend, amidst one million faithful gathered around St. Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City, Pope Benedict XVI declared Pope John Paul II “Blessed”.  Giving great delight to the Church, Benedict now shares with us a continuous blessing by allowing us to invoke Blessed John Paul II in the midst of trial and suffering, joys and worship.  I’m particularly delighted because of the admiration I have for our late pontiff who lead the Church as I was preparing for priesthood in the late 90s.

As many of us go through our daily lives, we’ll have reason to beseech God’s continued grace to assist us, to be near us, to work within and around us; may we seek, too, the intercession of Blessed John Paul II.

Rensselaer, New York 12144-3521 A Roman Catholic Parish Church within the Diocese of Albany

A Message from the Pastor:

Greetings friends!

On behalf of the one thousand parishioners who call the Church of St. Mary their home, welcome! St. Mary’s is located in the town of East Greenbush and was founded in 1927 as a mission church of St. John’s Church in the city of Rensselaer. In 1961, the small mission church burned while the building of the new parish school was underway. As a result, the gymnasium of the school became the new temporary worship space. We are still in this same space but it has truly become a wonderfully prayerful environment for our worship.

St. Mary’s is a growing parish. Employment in our area is plentiful. New and exciting companies are establishing roots nearby and many existing companies are expanding. While this new infusion of business has attributed to our growth, I like to think that it is the vibrancy of our community that has brought many our way. We are open to all people and we take our commitment to stewardship of time, talent and treasure seriously, as well as our commitment to living out the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We would love to have you stop by for a visit and perhaps even consider joining us. We are a lively, faith-filled and diverse community consisting of some young, some not so young, some married, single or divorced, some with children, and some without…but each of us has a common thread woven within us: we are all seeking the Lord and we are all seeking to be challenged in our faith. Sure, St. Mary’s is not for everyone, but perhaps it’s for you.

If you already belong to a faith community, they are richer because of your presence. I hope our Web Page gives you a little insight into our family and I hope that it somehow makes your faith in Jesus even stronger. We are a small part of the Church universal so we are all brothers and sisters.

Thanks for your visit. We would love for you to leave a message. God bless you and those you love!

Yours in Christ,

Father David LeFort Pastor