After the Resurrection, we hear Jesus both instructing and encouraging his disciples. When he ascends into heaven, he will no longer be with them in the flesh, but he assures them that he will never be absent. “I am with you always,” he says, “yes, to the end of time” (Matthew 28:20 NJB).
Jesus is indeed present to us in many ways: through the sacraments, in our prayer, through the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts — and also through the people we meet every day. As Paul tells us, “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27 RSV). We are called both to reveal Christ to each other and to see Jesus in other people — and act accordingly (see Matthew 25:31-46).
Sometimes when we glimpse Jesus in others, we experience him as healer; sometimes as Prince of Peace, or Divine Mercy, or the Wisdom of God. Other times we see Jesus as the vulnerable child or as the Crucified One, broken and wounded.
Here are some of the people who have revealed Jesus to me recently:
* My community, as always, who accept me in my foibles and weaknesses.
* The man with only one leg who, after struggling to open the heavy glass door of the bank, waited for me and with gentle courtesy held the door for me.
* The Vietnam veteran who introduced himself on the sidewalk and added, “I have such pain in my heart. I did terrible things over there.”
* The new Catholics who were received into the Church during Holy Week, and who are radiant in the Risen Christ.
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.
(Romans 8:11)