Do Others see Jesus in Us?

03-17-2024Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

I share with you a beautiful reflection on this Sunday’s Gospel about people who were looking to see Jesus. It was written by Betty-Ann Medeiros Hickey from Most Holy Trinity Parish, Covington, LA and published in NPM Sunday Word.

“I remember being a young child always struggling to see over the adults around me. No matter how much I stretched, someone would always move and block my view. In today’s Gospel, the Greeks ask to see Jesus. They had probably heard stories about his preaching, teaching, and healing and they wanted to experience it for themselves. They wanted an up front and close experience that would confirm the truth of all they had heard.

The people in our parishes, and in our world, want to see Jesus, but the obstacles in their way are greater than tall people. They come to our parishes and look for Jesus. They see him on the altar and in the tabernacle, but do they see him in us? Are we obstacles blocking their view? Do they find in us the welcome of Christ? Do we live our faith with fervor? Are we people who are filled with joy and hope? Do they find love for others in us? In other words, does their experience with us confirm the truth of all they had heard about Jesus?

When they are able to see Christ in us, they will more easily recognize Christ in the Eucharist. We also long to see Jesus. He is here. He sees us, feeds us and calls us to be those grains of wheat that produce much fruit. As (people situated close to the altar), we have that up front and close experience. What obstacles are blocking our view?”

— Betty-Ann Medeiros Hickey