(I wrote this reflection yesterday but I did not upload/publish it because I thought it was not long enough and it’s all questions. However when I read the gospel for today it was the same story that I based my reflection so here it is…)
I went to “One” Conference, an Archdiocesan event here in Vancouver last week. There were three amazing speakers who shared to us and challenged us with a lot of thought-provoking statements about happiness, renewal/transformation, and desire. After how many days have passed, there’s this one point that’s been recurring since then. The question was: How/What does it feel to be in my presence? Every night I ask myself what do other people feel when they are with me? Do they feel excited? Do they feel blessed? Do they want to stay with me? Am I a good companion? Am I a trusted friend? Am I real to them? Do I stress them out? Am I insistent? Are they weirded out with me? Too pushy? Do they feel loved? Am I like my mother? Or my sisters maybe? Do they see Jesus in me?
Just like the gospel last Thursday and today. Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” I want to ask the same question to people who are strangers to me, to those who are my acquaintance, those who I’ve been serving/working with, to those who I always talk to, and to my family. Who do they say I am? Do they see Jesus in the way I think and make decisions? Do they experience Jesus in my actions? Do they feel Jesus in my words? Do they encounter Jesus in my mere presence?
I may not find the answers right away or the answers may vary everyday no not everyday but every minute or second but I pray that they experience Jesus in me.
“Lord you have surrounded us with people everyday and everyday also we meet or come across strangers and familiar people. I pray that in those times that they we encounter each other, may I naturally bring you out but in most times be brave enough to deliberately present you to people. Use me Lord.”