The heart burning - recognising the Presence of Christ

[blessedstar]

13And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
14And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
17And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
18And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
19And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
20And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
21But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
22Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
23And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
24And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
25Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
29But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
** 32And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? **
33And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
34Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
35And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

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** 32And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? **

Have you ever experienced the burning of the heart and recognised Jesus’ Presence?

I think it is very important in discerning the Presence of Jesus to us during prayer.

I would like to hear your thoughts, experiences, debates, and ideas upon this.

In my Living Prayer of life.

 

[ncjohn]

Yes, I’ve had a couple occasions.

One in particular comes to mind. My wife and I were sitting discussing something after breakfast one morning when out of the blue a voice came into my mind that said “…and the young man walked away sadly, for he had great anger.”

I recognized immediately that my I was being told that my anger was my personal substitute for the “rich young man’s” many possessions–the things he felt he just could not part with.

There was no prelude to this articulation, but it resulted in an extended discussion with my wife–who is aware of that tendency in me when it comes to certain people–and with a deep appreciation that God took the time to reveal this to me, and clarify how I was cutting myself off in my failure to forgive.

There was no question that in some way He had made Himself visible to me for a brief moment to make clear where that revelation was coming from. And the other disciple, my wife, and I walked on, wondering at the glory of God.

Peace,

 

[Vittorio23]

This “heart burning” or “burning of the bossom” is something that I have had experience with. It was this (coupled with much more) that convinced me in only moments that God truly existed. It was this that convinced me of the True Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. For the longest time, it was this from which my entire faith sprung from.

During my times experimenting with the Mormons, it was this “burning of the bossom” that everyone relied on to tell them the Truth, it was a sign of the Holy Spirit speaking to you.

I would warn, however, not to base one’s faith upon these feelings. While they are wonderful, personal encounters with God, they are no foundation for faith. I have been learning this the hard way. Everyonce in a while I will feel the “burning of the bossom” when I receive Holy Communion or during Adoration or during the Mass- but I do not and cannot base my entire faith upon these feelings. They are nice, but not all encompassing.

 

[blessedstar]

This “heart burning” or “burning of the bossom” is something that I have had experience with. It was this (coupled with much more) that convinced me in only moments that God truly existed. It was this that convinced me of the True Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. For the longest time, it was this from which my entire faith sprung from.

During my times experimenting with the Mormons, it was this “burning of the bossom” that everyone relied on to tell them the Truth, it was a sign of the Holy Spirit speaking to you.

I would warn, however, not to base one’s faith upon these feelings. While they are wonderful, personal encounters with God, they are no foundation for faith. I have been learning this the hard way. Everyonce in a while I will feel the “burning of the bossom” when I receive Holy Communion or during Adoration or during the Mass- but I do not and cannot base my entire faith upon these feelings. They are nice, but not all encompassing.

Very true. The ‘burning’ will not always be there so faith cannot rely upon it. But I believe there is more to the ‘burning of the heart’ it changes it, it enlarges it, it enlightens it, it strengthens it. I think God is continually doing this, but perhaps only sometimes God allows us to perceive it and therefore perceive His Presence.

John stated that he glimpsed the Presence of God in this brief moment of experiencing this and it was for a purpose and for his good and the good of others.

 

[blessedstar]

Yes, I’ve had a couple occasions.

One in particular comes to mind. My wife and I were sitting discussing something after breakfast one morning when out of the blue a voice came into my mind that said “…and the young man walked away sadly, for he had great anger.”

I recognized immediately that my I was being told that my anger was my personal substitute for the “rich young man’s” many possessions–the things he felt he just could not part with.

There was no prelude to this articulation, but it resulted in an extended discussion with my wife–who is aware of that tendency in me when it comes to certain people–and with a deep appreciation that God took the time to reveal this to me, and clarify how I was cutting myself off in my failure to forgive.

There was no question that in some way He had made Himself visible to me for a brief moment to make clear where that revelation was coming from. And the other disciple, my wife, and I walked on, wondering at the glory of God.

Peace,

Beautiful. We can all say with our Blessed Virgin Mother Mary ‘God has done great thing for me’

 

[Joysong]

John, thank you for sharing your words from Oure Lord. I have personally experienced that He communicates His words to us, unexpectedly, often using scripture. The scripture verse is intensely enlightening, especially when we have never considered it in quite that way previously, so we can know it did not originate from our own consciousness. I’m remembering one that immediately erased an extremity of interior suffering and brought about a joyful state of peace.

I have read and understood that His words bring about an effect, which you probably experienced as a letting go of anger, together with strengthening to change.

It is not that we are able to experience the Lord’s words whenever we wish, but just yesterday, I received, “And which of you by being anxious can add to his stature a single cubit?”
I had been worrying about something and assumed that if I paid a lot of attention to it, I could change the situation. How timely, and how appropriate, sending this verse for my situation.

God be praised!

Carole

 

[ncjohn]

I have personally experienced that He communicates His words to us, unexpectedly, often using scripture. The scripture verse is intensely enlightening, especially when we have never considered it in quite that way previously, so we can know it did not originate from our own consciousness.

I’ve found that to be very true Carole. We often do *Lectio Divina *as part of our Franciscan gatherings and I can’t count the times that it has seemed like God himself was sitting with us “breaking open the scriptures” as we reflected on some particular passage, and just had to gasp at the sudden insight provided through someone who had never seen some particular angle before.

And perhaps more importantly, we almost always walk away from those sessions, after looking at the “what is this calling me to right now in my life?” question, with new direction of where God would like to see us moving, or what blindness we need to be addressing.

Peace,

 

[Talia]

Too many times to count have I experienced Gods Word come alive! And many of the stories are humbling afterwards but I know that Goes does these things to allow us to experience His Presence so that we may grow more like Himself!

One is a time when I judged my daugther because she decided to have an abortion. I struggle so hard with this. It was the feast of St John the Baptist and it was given to me in prayer that it was a boy. In my heart, I was angry and bitter and judgemental. The Lord, in the end won, He showed me that I committed a worse sin than that in my life. I was repentant and cried for forgiveness for myself and my daughter and my sin always remains in front of me.I would share the sin but it would take too long right now.

There are so many other stories like this.

 

[Joysong]

Hello Talia,

Nice to see a new person here on the forum sharing with us!

Your message is needed for all of us to hear and reflect on often. It has been many years since my big conversion , and the most important teaching from God that I remember coming over and over in my prayer life is “Do not judge!”

That seemingly little sin is one that mankind falls into so blindly, oblivious to personal shortcomings, failures and sins, but it is utterly offensive to God who alone sees the heart. We ought to shout it often to the mountaintops to alert our brothers and sisters, for it is a true hindrance in growing close to God.

Whenever I encounter a judgmental heart, I am reminded of how diligently the pharisees kept the law, externally, but they missed the greatest blessing of all, knowing Christ! May God enlighten us all.

Carole

 

[InLight247]

John 21:18-19
“I tell you solemnly: as a young man you fasten your belt and went about as you pleased;
but when you are older, you will stretch out your hands,
and another will tie you fast and carry you off against your will.”
What he said indicated the sort of death by which Peter was to glorify God.
When Jesus had finished speaking he said to him, “Follow me.”

I have read this passage many times and always received it as the Bible says, that Jesus was indicating the sort of death of Peter.

Sometime last year when I re-read this paragraph, I experienced a lightening sensation. It was like my heart was pierced at that moment. A sudden revelation was given to me as an instant message. Without seeing or hearing anything, my heart fully perceived what the Holy Spirit wanted of me.

He was saying “when your spiritual life was young as a child, you were allowed for your own will here and there. After following me for so long and becoming more matured in your journey, you are not a child any more. I demand complete obedience. If your will is different form mine, your total surrender is expected. Just like Peter, when he was young, he went about as he pleased, but when he was older, he would follow me only according to my will.”

That happened during a time when I was seriously dwelling on the topic of complete surrender and obedience.

 

[Joysong]

InLight - Awesome!

 

[InLight247]

It is not that we are able to experience the Lord’s words whenever we wish, but just yesterday, I received, “And which of you by being anxious can add to his stature a single cubit?”
I had been worrying about something and assumed that if I paid a lot of attention to it, I could change the situation. How timely, and how appropriate, sending this verse for my situation.

God be praised!

Carole

Carole, that is what I need to hear this morning.
“And which of you by being anxious can add to his stature a single cubit?”

There is one particular intention I have been praying for God’s ultimate will since 1999. I know the answer will come, I am still waiting. Sometimes, I can be worrying, and how much I need to be reiminded of what you just said.

 

[blessedstar]

So many beautiful insights and moments of ‘light’ gifted from God.

It seems to me that in order to grow spiritually not only must be be obedient, prayerful, persevering in the faith etc, but we must also be deeply immersed in the Sacred Scripture, this truly makes the heart burn in Jesus. I remind myself regularly that when I pray the Scriptures I am close to the ‘Word’ and the ‘Word’ is Christ Jesus.

I pray the Divine Office but for the most part my spiritual reading is Sacred Scripture. It’s truly amazing that you can pray a piece of Scripture one day and nothing comes forward but on another day the Holy Spirit will reveal new insights and hidden light. It reminds me that our God is a hidden God and we must seek Him in His Word and He will reveal to those who seek. The very thought of it can make the heart burn.

I suppose the deepest immersion in Sacred Scripture is to live it and to allow God to make it manifest in ourselves in the world, this is the journey to formation in the likeness of Christ Jesus.

In my Living Prayer of life.