Many poets, artists and musicians have been inspired by today’s Gospel. Here’s a poem reflecting on a painting in Chicago by Velazquez, “The Servant Girl at Emmaus”.
She listens, listens, holding
her breath. Surely that voice
is his – the one
who had looked at her, once, across the crowd, as no one ever had looked?
Had seen her? Had spoken as if to her?
Surely those hands were his,
taking the platter of bread from hers just now? Hands he’d laid on the dying and made them well?
Surely that face – ?
The man they’d crucified for sedition and blasphemy.
The man whose body disappeared from its tomb.
The man it was rumored now some women had seen this morning, alive?
Those who had brought this stranger home to their table don’t recognize yet with whom they sit.
But she in the kitchen, absently touching
The wine jug she’s to take in,
a young black servant intently listening,
swings round and sees
the light around him and is sure.
Denise Levertov
