“Are You Jesus?” (02/10/2024)

A friend recommended that I read Rediscover Jesus by Matthew Kelley. It arrived in the mail this week, so yesterday I opened it and began the journey. I only got through 2½ pages, and I had to stop. It forced me to think. Kelly told the story of a young man who helped a blind woman when her fruit stand was tipped over and all her produce was strewn across the cement. When he had everything picked up and rearranged, she asked him, “Are you Jesus? …I ask because I prayed for Jesus to help me…” The young man spent the night reflecting on the woman’s question. As Kelly wrote, “When was the last time someone confused you for Jesus?”[1]

I have to tell you that I couldn’t get that question off my mind. All day it was there. I call myself a Christian, literally one of Christ’s. I believe that I am called to bring Christ to others and others to Christ. But am I really doing that? For the first time in my life, I realized how enormous the footsteps I insist I am walking in truly are. There is only one Christ, and it is not me. But everywhere I go I am to live Him. When was the last time someone confused me for Jesus? I hope never. But when was the last time someone encountered Jesus in me? I hope often.

As one of Christ’s I am to be committed to bringing the full weight of my love for the LORD and for all my sisters and brothers to every moment regardless of where I am, what time it is, or what is on my “to do” plate. I am called to follow the example of Christ who was so present to others that he could discern in a crowd when a single woman touched Him in the hope of healing. I am called to hear the voice of the other, to read the need of the other, always and everywhere. I am called to continue Christ’s work, his ongoing salvific mission, in this place, at this time, with whomever I encounter.

Last evening as I sat and pondered my day in light of that question, I saw Christ in my encounters with others. “I am with you always,” He promised. And I believe He is. The question is, “Am I with Him?” And John 15:4 resounded in my head, “Remain in me aa I remain in you.”  

At no time in our history has the need for us to turn and return been more necessary. Last evening, I found myself begging the LORD for the gift of the Spirit to guide me, to open my eyes, my mind, my heart so that I might be the one I am called to be, so that I might truly and lovingly encounter others on this journey as Christ’s instrument of peace.

May we all, as we continue on “the Way” with our loving Savior, blessed by the presence of the enabling and empowering Spirit, touch the lives and souls of those whom we encounter with the love that defines us, the love of our LORD and the love for one another.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.

Thoughts? Questions? Requests? - katewiskus@gmail.com

[1] Matthew Kelly, Rediscover Jesus: An Invitation; Blue Sparrow Books (2019), p. 14.