Looking for Christ (02/02/2025)

I saw Him. I saw Him in my friend’s smile as she spoke of her children and grandchildren. I saw Him in the face of another friend as she asked for prayers for her sister. I saw Him in the face of the stranger who opened the door and smiling wished me a good evening. I saw Him in my husband who asked me about my friends. I look for Him everywhere. I look for Him daily. He promised He’d be with us always.

I seek Christ out daily in prayer. I seek His loving presence and His will for me as His disciple at this time and in my place. I know that He is LORD and is with me. He promised us He would be: “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). He is trustworthy. He keeps His promise. The question is not if Christ is present; the question is whether I will seek Him or not.

Today’s gospel tells us of Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus at the temple and of Simeon’s and Anna’s expectation that they would see the Christ. They were rewarded for their perseverance. Will we persevere? Will we search? Will we look for Christ?

Like the Apostle Paul, I have been deeply touched by the knowledge of Christ’s presence to us in His living Body, in those who believe in Him and bring Him to others and others to Him. I have experienced Christ in church during prayer, for sure, but I have also experienced His loving presence far from any pew, on the city sidewalks, in the resale shop, at coffee with neighbors.

The question, again, isn’t if Christ is present; the question is whether we will look for Him and recognize Him when we encounter Him in others.

And there’s another question. Will we bring Him to others? Will we be His loving presence in the world regardless of where we are? Will we care for our brothers and sisters as He has asked us to for love of the Father and Him. Will we speak of Him openly and boldly? Or will we let the opportunities to show Christ to another pass by?

Let us use this day well, knowing Christ is with us. We are His ambassadors. We are members of His Living Body. Let us go forth knowing that we are bringing Him to others and seek to bring others to Him. And let us look for Him in others who share the same mission as His disciples, as members of His Living Body.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.