“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15
One of the greatest gifts any soul can receive from another is to feel seen – to feel loved.
One of the things I’ve read of many of our modern saints is their ability to put the soul before them at the center, excluding all else. I recently read a book about St. John Paul II. In it the author describes many instances that this beloved man basically drove his schedulers crazy. Many involve his absolute devotion of the Blessed Sacrament, but so many times, he would stop to spend time with and individual or group of individuals. In those times, his full attention was rapt upon the one person before him. He could remember a face and name met in passing from decades prior. In the moment with the person though, nothing else mattered. He kept the Vice President waiting for hours so he could spend time with some seminarians.
We each need this gift.
“I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1
More often than not, our world drives us to distraction. We have to get to the next appointment or do whatever is on the list. We rush past encounters with other souls – some who might lift us up and others who might need us in the moment. Who was busier than the Poor or Mother Therese. Yet, each stopped the world to be with the person before them. They each saw the opportunity to encounter Jesus in that person.
My eyes were opened to my rush once when I was heading to daily noon Mass in Pittsburgh. I was rushing to get to Mass and passed by a homeless man on the curb. As I passed it struck me that he wasn’t begging. Just sitting on the step looking downcast. Ten, fifteen steps closer to church and away from him, I was hit with a wall. How could I rush to see Jesus in Mass and the Eucharist when He could be sitting behind me on the step. So I turned around and spent my lunch eating with this man. Thirty minutes that changed my life. I thank him every day.
I often spend time looking into the eyes of the Prince of Peace. I know in the eyes of the Savior, I am loved and I am seen.
I still need to slow down my mind and stop to speak and see people. Difficult for me, I need to not talk and just listen. Like the Father so often does with me.
Pray today for the virtue of knowing you are seen and loved by God. He did everything for you. Now, take that gift and give it to another – stop and spend time, excluding all else, with that person. Let them see in you they are seen.