Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
Most Sundays my husband and I attend Mass with our daughter, her husband and our two grandchildren. Trying to help these children (3 years old and 18 month old) be attentive to what is occurring on the altar is a challenge. One way that often catches their interest is when we direct them to see “Papa Tish” (Fr. Satish) or Pops (my husband) when he serves, lectors or is a Eucharistic Minister up on the altar. When they recognize someone as familiar they are more likely to want to pay attention and learn more about what is happening during the service.
God created us and invites us into relationship with Him. He also recognizes that we are more likely to want to engage with someone who is like us and is in some way familiar. Jesus, because of His humanity, becomes the “face of God” to us. When we recognize that our God chose to become like us to invite us into relationship with Him, we begin to understand how much He really loves us.
In the first reading, Solomon has built a temple for God, and he is having the arc of the covenant placed in the holy of holies. The arc (which contains only the two stone tablets that Moses received at Horeb) represents God and His covenant with the Israelites. God invited the people of Israel into relationship, but much of what the people saw was a covenant based on laws, power, and fear. Without a “face” for God, it was difficult for the Israelites to remain faithful. Through the course of time the people would fall away only to be welcomed back by God because of His faithfulness to them and His covenant.
In the gospel reading, Jesus has traveled to the land of Gennesaret with his disciples. As soon as he steps off the boat, people immediately recognize Jesus, and they come to Him to be healed. They are familiar with Jesus and who He is because they know He has brought healing and mercy to other parts of the region. The “face” that they see is one who is approachable, kind, and generous with His healing.
Jesus, who is both human and divine, bridges the gap between God and man. Because we need a “face” that we can know and recognize, God sends us Jesus. There could be no greater way for God to demonstrate His love for us than by taking on our “human likeness” so we could be invited into a relationship with Him. The following statement captures what I believe is the essence of why Jesus came to live on this earth. “Jesus did not come to change the mind of God about humanity (it did not need changing)! Jesus came to change the mind of humanity about God!” (Fr. Richard Rohr) We needed to know that our God was not just about laws, power and fear, but our God is truly love incarnate- and He wants us to participate with Him in this eternal love.
As Christians we realize that Jesus is the way to the Father and the Spirit. Because of his humanity He is able to show us not only how we are called to live, but how we can grow in our love and knowledge of God. If we spend time getting to know Jesus through prayer, reading scripture, and receiving the sacraments, then we will be able to recognize his familiar “face” in other people and in the world around us.
Similar to my grand children, when we recognize someone as familiar, we will be attracted to finding out other information about that individual. The more we know about Jesus, the more we will be drawn towards Him and this will deepen our desire to become a part of His loving communion with the Father and Spirit.
As our relationship with Christ deepens, we will be like the people of Gennesaret where we can “immediately recognize” Him in our daily living. His gaze and touch will not only bring us healing and mercy, but His love will transform us so we can be His face to others. As His disciples we can be instruments of His grace and mercy to the world.
Loving Father, Jesus is your “face” of love, mercy and healing for all people. Through the grace of Your Spirit give us the ability to seek and know Jesus in our midst. May we see His face and then be His face to others. We pray this through Christ our LORD. Amen.
Marylynn Herchline