Seeing the face of Christ!

This title, "Seeing the face of Christ" is a favorite theme of Saint Benedict's and it is mine as well. That is one of the things that Saint Benedict told his monks, to see the face of Christ in all whom they meet. In a recent gospel, Jesus told his disciples, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see." The purpose of that statement is that the disciples of Jesus were at the right place at the right time. They were able to witness Christ first hand, see his ministry unfold, and listen to his words in person. Of course, we are blessed as well because the presence of Christ is still with us and that is the Good News that we proclaim everyday. "Whoever listens to you, listens to me" (Luke 10:16). "Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me" (Matt 10:40). "Whatever you do for one of these least ones, you do for me" (Matt 25:40). The commentator goes on to say after speaking of Saint Benedict seeing Christ in all peoples, "We see Christ in the abbot, in the guest, in the sick. But we are not always aware of what we see. Blessed are the eyes that see Christ in the poor, in the friend in need, in the elderly relative. Blessed are the eyes that see Christ in the stranger, the immigrant, the one whose faith or culture is different from ours. We are truly blessed if we see Christ in every person we meet" (Loose-Leaf Lectionary, 3033). The single sentence that concludes the commentary is a prayer for all of us, "May Christ give us eyes to see" (3033). As we begin this Advent Time, may our eyes be opened to see the presence of Christ, the face of Christ in one another. Just think how differently our world, our communities would be if we took this message of seeing Christ in others to heart! Have a blessed day!!!