Priest and teacher Henri Nouwen in his book Reaching Out tells the story of a former student who returned to visit him after several years. They were outside at that time and sat down on the ground to exchange greetings. After a while they became silent, but it wasn’t an embarrassing silence as if they had run out of words to speak. They were enjoying each other’s presence. After a while the student said, “It is good to be here.” Nouwen replied,” Yes, it is good to be together again.”

They fell silent once again. In the distance they could hear the sounds of the birds, the distant sounds of people talking, even the cars along the roadway. Then the student said, “When I look at you, it is as if I am in the presence of Christ.” Nouwen replied, “It is the Christ in you who recognizes the Christ in me.”

We are called upon to be representatives of Christ in a world full of sound and fury. How can we do this? What should we say or do? Sometimes there are too many problems and too much noise to answer directly. In the noise and chaos of our lives, we sometimes fail to recognize the divine presence who is there for everyone. 

As Nouwen and his friend prepared to depart, they both realized that something very special had happened. Christ had been in their presence. The former student said, “From now on, wherever you go, or wherever I go, all the ground between us will be holy ground.”

Prayer
Holy One, we ask you to be present with us. Give us the courage to be truly present with others as well. Amen.

See you Sunday,