Don't miss it

Today's Scripture

Sometimes we might be tempted to want to know what the future holds, how things will turn out. This is even romanticized in movies (think Back to the Future). All of the movies about time travel and/or knowing the future begin to uncover an issue with knowing the future - what if it's not pleasant?

Jesus seems to have a pretty good grasp on what will happen in the future, even if we're not sure when this started for Him. He knows He will be crucified and die and rise again and He knows, as we see in today's Gospel, that Jerusalem will be destroyed. He knows it doesn't have to be that way, but He can't force them to follow Him or love Him. “If this day you only knew what makes for peace– but now it is hidden from your eyes." This is one of three times in scripture where Jesus weeps, and this weeping is for those who will miss this great act of love that God has for them.

Two thousand years later we have a clearer lens on the mission of Jesus and what it will mean to the world, but is His presence still hidden from our eyes? God continues to work in the world and in our lives every day. Are we aware? Are our eyes open? How can we sharpen our sight? I find it helpful to pray specifically to be able to be aware of His working in the world and the ways in which He reaches for us. 'Lord help me not to miss a single way in which you are trying to reveal yourself to me and those around me.' It also helps for us to recognize the WAYS in which He works.

St. Paul gives us a good guide in his letter to the Philippians: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." When we see things that are good and noble and pure, we know these are of God and be thankful for them. The more we do this, the more it becomes a way of life, and soon we see His impact everywhere. We should also recognize that God loves to work through us and through others. When people are open to God's will, He can use them to answer the prayers of others. He doesn't 'magically' force people to do things, but when their hearts are open to it, He will use them. Look for this happening.

Lastly, be open yourself to God working within you and through you. Offer yourself up as an answer to someone else's prayer. Allow yourself to be moved by His will, pray for it, desire it. When these things become part of the way that you look at the world, the presence of God will be obvious and you will never miss it.