"Jesus said to his disciples: 'A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me.'"
John 16:16
The Gospel shows how grief is turned into joy. The earthly presence of Jesus ceases only to be transformed into the sacramental presence of Jesus for us. How is that? We are born in the flesh, then reborn in the Spirit. Water is poured upon us in baptism; the triune God lives within us, and we live within the triune God. As we grow in our journey, the bishop anoints our forehead with oil in the sign of the cross—and God pours out more fully the gifts of the Spirit so that we might practice more faithfully love, generosity, patience. In the Eucharist, the living Christ gives himself to us in the signs of bread and wine, mystically reenacts his salvific activity, and becomes one with us in Communion. He feeds us with his life so we can continue our journey. If we should stumble, the rite of penance celebrates God’s mercy. In the exchange of wedding promises, God strengthens the love of husband and wife. In the anointing of the sick, God heals our sinful wounds. All signs of God’s care for us. Yes, experiencing the living Christ sacramentally, we go forth to love and serve one another.
Do I find myself aware of God's presence in my life as I begin every day?
God, help me to become ever more aware of your presence all around me.
Today’s Reflection is by:
Fr. Kevin Mackin OFM
Did you know...
Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, OFM, of St. Anthony Friary in St. Petersburg, has served in parish ministry and chaplaincy, and as a college president and professor. His articles and books include Enjoying God's Gifts; Get Thee Behind Me, Satan: Rejecting Evil; and Christian Unity: The Next Step 'That They May All Be One.' His website is www.FatherKevin.com.
