I give thanks that He thought of me, two thousand years ago…
When I reflect on the Gospel stories of Christ’s life, I could be forgiven for imaging the scenes as occurring thousands of years ago – somehow completely detached from me. I could be forgiven for thinking that those things that we read about in the Gospel are far and away from me.
And yet – Christ is also alive now. The Gospel is – in a spiritual sense – outside of time and space. It exists ad infinitum. And that means that I am another character in the Gospel. I am one of the apostles who lived two thousand years ago. I am another one of them.
In the details of the Gospel I should be able to see the details of my own life.
In the story of James and John being called by Christ – in their leaving their father and their home and their work to follow God’s calling for them – I should be able to see my own following of the calling of God in my own life.
And I should be able to see it elsewhere as well. I should be able to see it in the voice of Andrew, who found Christ – the Messiah – and rushed to share the news with his brother Simone Peter. Where am I rushing with my news? Who is hearing the excitement in my voice as I call them to God? Who is following me, hand in hand to meet God Himself in the Sacraments?
And what about Bartholemew – the one who of whom Christ said He saw Him under the tree? Do I remember that I am like Bartholomew as well? Do I remember that God sees me too – when I am happy and all seems to be going well, and when I am sad and life seems to be too hard to bear.
And what of the Blessed Virgin, who stood in silence next to her Holy Son for His entire life? She waited for Him to call on her and called on Him for His help when she needed it. Do I remember that she is with me now as well? Do I see her at my own Canaan Wedding? Do I recognise that she will ask the servants to do whatever He tells them? Or do I doubt? Do I trouble my mind and my heart worrying about things over which I have no control at all? What is in my heart and mind here? What am I thinking about in this moment?
And today it occurs to me that I must remember that I am playing a part in the eternal Gospel. I am a character in the story and God put me into it when He lived that story. When He performed His miracles during those Gospel days, it was my soul – and yours too – that was in His mind.
And today – as I wait for the Son of Man to grant me the Grace to achieve sanctification – I give thanks that He thought of me, two thousand years ago…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.