Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

Fifth Sunday in Lent (April 6, 2003)

Readings Jer 31: 31-34 Ps 51: 3-4, 12-15 Heb 5: 7-9 Jn 12: 20-33

Suggested Emphasis

"We would all like to see Jesus."

"All, from the least to the greatest, shall know me, says the Lord."

Salesian Perspective

We would all like to see Jesus.

Where do we look for him? Up the sky? Far away places? Special people? Extraordinary experiences? Once-in-a-lifetime events?

Francis de Sales suggests that we start closer to home: “God is everywhere and in every thing. There is no place or thing in this world in which God is not very really present. God is not only in the place in which you find yourself, but God, in a very special way, dwells in the depths of your heart.” (Introduction to the Devout Life, II, 2)

If we want to see Jesus, we must first recognize him in ourselves: after all, we are created in God’s – Christ’s – the Spirit’s – image and likeness. Christ dwells in our minds, in our hearts, in our affections, attitudes, and our actions. Christ dwells in the midst of our daily responsibilities, successes and setbacks. Christ dwells in our spouses, children, parents, families, friends, neighbors, co-workers and classmates. Wherever we “are”, there Jesus “is.”

Lent is a season for sharpening our eyesight, for clearing our vision, for focusing our perception of a God who is with us – always and all ways!

Lent is also a season in which we are reminded of a very special place in which we can see and experience Jesus: in the act of asking for, receiving and granting forgiveness. As much as Jesus dwells in us because we simply – and powerfully “are”, Jesus is in a very real, tangible and repeatable way present to us in the experience of forgiveness, reconciliation, and redemption.

Ask for the grace to see Jesus more clearly in your self. Ask for the vision to see Jesus in the events, circumstances and relationships of each and every day. Ask for the wisdom to recognize Jesus in the gift of life and the beauty of creation, with all of its ups, downs and in betweens. Ask for the faith to know Jesus’ presence in the gift of forgiveness.

Help others to see this same Jesus by modeling these truths in your own life. Be for and with others, like Jesus!

Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS, is Executive Director of the
De Sales Spirituality Center in Washington, DC