God Dwells in the Depths of Our Being
On Sunday we will chat about seeking God.
“All, from the least to the greatest, shall know me, says the Lord.”
All of us would like to see Jesus…for any number of reasons.
Where do we look for Jesus? Do we look for Jesus up in the sky? Do we look for Jesus in far away places? Do we look for Jesus in special people? Do we look for Jesus in extraordinary experiences? Do we look for Jesus in once-in-a-lifetime events?
Francis de Sales suggests that we start closer to home: “God is everywhere and in every thing. There is no place or thing in this world in which God is not very really present. God is not only in the place in which you find yourself, but God, in a very special way, dwells in the depths of your heart” (Introduction to the Devout Life, II, 2).
If we want to see Jesus, we must first recognize him in ourselves. After all, we are created in God’s – Christ’s – the Spirit’s – image and likeness. Christ dwells in our minds, hearts, affections, attitudes and actions. Christ dwells in the midst of our daily responsibilities, successes and setbacks. Christ dwells in our spouses, children, parents, families, friends, neighbors, co-workers and classmates. Wherever we ‘are’, there Jesus ‘is’.
Lent is a season for sharpening our eyesight, for clearing our vision, for focusing our perception of a God who is with us – always and in all ways!
Lent is also a season in which we are reminded of a very special place in which we can see and experience Jesus – in the act of asking for, receiving and granting forgiveness. As much as Jesus dwells in us because we simply – and powerfully ‘are’, Jesus is in a very real, tangible and repeatable way present to us in the experience of forgiveness, reconciliation, and redemption.
Ask for the grace to see Jesus more clearly in your self. Ask for the vision to see Jesus in the events, circumstances and relationships of each and every day. Ask for the wisdom to recognize Jesus in the gift of life and the beauty of creation, with all of its ups, downs and in betweens. Ask for the faith to know Jesus’ presence in the gift of forgiveness.
Do you want to see Jesus? Then, open your eyes! Open your ears! Open your hearts! Open your minds! Open your attitudes! Open your lives! Allow others to see in you The One for whom you look in others!
Today!
We’ll be talking about seeking God during our chat session on Sunday. Here are some questions that will guild our reflection:
- What does it mean that God dwells in us?
- Jesus prayed to the Father: “I made known to them thy name, and I will make it known, that the love with which thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:23). How might we connect these words of the Lord with this present reflection?
- Saint Paul said “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). At the end of time all will come to know Jesus is Lord (though, not all will choose Jesus as Lord). What might this teach us about conversion and the necessity of having both knowledge of God and a living faith?
- Consider the questions from the opening of this reflection. How do you find Jesus in your everyday life?
Sign up for our Chat Room
Come to our Living Jesus Chat Room, 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM Eastern Time U.S. this Sunday. Sign up here and get your own username. Or just come on Sunday and sign in as a guest. Seats are limited, so come on time.
Share with others who are journeying the same path as you. A Visitation Sister will guide you.