Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr
I’m sure it doesn’t come as a shock to say that we live in a very tumultuous, volatile, and contentious society that is too often divided by politics, race, religion, sexual orientation, poverty - the list goes on. It's been far too evident within the news and the climate of our nation that it is pervaded by lust, greed, pride, gluttony, wrath, sloth, and envy - among other things. These displays frequently led me to wonder, just like the Pharisees in today’s Gospel, when will the Kingdom of God be amongst us. Given the context of our world, Jesus’ reaction to the Pharisees’ question that “the Kingdom of God is among you” seems pretty hard to swallow. Jesus builds upon this premise as he tells his disciples that they should not go running off looking for Him despite people pointing out His presence, but in fact the Son of Man will come in quick noticeable bursts while also enduring the suffering and rejection that is caused by the problems of humanity.
I might be taking the context of Jesus’ words a bit liberally, but I find some element of challenge and consolation in this description. It is comforting to know that Jesus will be with us in all that He sends us to do, that we’ll be able to recognize His presence amongst us in ways that might sometimes be very clear. But the challenge comes with how difficult I find it to consistently recognize the presence of Christ walking with me in the everyday, and to acknowledge that the Kingdom of God is amongst us amidst such volatility that we witness in our world on a daily basis. Even further, perhaps the real challenge that Christ presents us with in today’s Gospel is to find a balance between this consolation and challenge - to continue to seek His presence with us as His disciples and to not let ourselves be clouded by the sinfulness of this world to the point that we fail to recognize Christ’s presence.
That is a challenge that causes me to fall short too often. It’s in my nature to be a skeptic and to think of the worst case scenario, which often clouds my ability to acknowledge the grace in any given situation or inconspicuous encounters of Christ. And perhaps that’s how slowly growing in a deeper dedication to Christ might fuel our faith to help us to recognize Christ’s presence, to recognize the Kingdom of God amongst us, and to help God’s unconditional love be known to all.
What have been some times where that presence comes to you in a quick, noticeable burst? What have been some times where that presence has been a bit more subtle? What are the things that cloud your recognition of Christ’s presence with you? And how might you embrace the challenge to overcome that which clouds your recognition of Christ’s presence, so tht you might acknowledge Christ more readily and share His unconditional love with others amidst our broken world?
- Mike Bennett