Searching for the Presence of Christ
Where do you see Christ Present? Rather than giving a very quick, immediate reaction answer to the question—which is often times what we think the answer should be, instead of what it truly is—I encourage you to pause and take a moment to more deeply consider this: Where do you see the presence of the Son of God?
Do you see Him present in the poor? Do you see Him dwelling in the tabernacle? When you are tired or have had a difficult day, do your thoughts go toward longing for time in Adoration, in front of the Monstrance?
We know that one of the Graces received in Holy Communion is that when we have received the Body and Blood of Christ, the True Presence, that very presence is within us. More than simply being incorporated into the Mystical Body of Christ with Baptism, if we can call that simple, or having God present within us as He is in all of Creation, having consumed to Holy Eucharist we can say that that very presence is now inside of us. As we desire to be part of His Body, in giving Himself to us in His Body and Blood, He expresses His desire to be part of our body, and makes Himself come into our flesh.
For some of us, it can be very easy to see Christ in each other and especially in the poor and the suffering. For others, it is easy to seem Him present in the substances of the bread and wine. But for others, we can struggle greatly to see our Lord present in the host and in Adoration; or we can struggle to see Him present in the poor and the addict who received Him at Mass.
The better question may actually be: Where do you have trouble seeing Christ? Can you see him in the person who took your parking space? The person singing off key and out of tune? Do you see Him in every person who received Holy Communion? Or do you have trouble seeing Him in Holy Adoration and His Presence in the Tabernacle.
He gave Himself to us in a spectacular and miraculous way to give us life and to remain with us always. We begin our journey in faith being able to see Him more clearly in some ways more than others. But His desire is that our eyes be opened and that we grow into recognizing Him clearly in all ways. Consider where you have trouble seeing Him, where your mind tells you that He is present, but you cannot feel His presence, or your actions betray His presence. Focus on your attention here. Enter the challenge of finding Him, like it were a puzzle of Where’s Waldo. You know that He is present, but just have to work until you find Him. Once you can see Him there, then turn to the next page, where again you have difficulty seeing Him. Continue on until you truly, easily and readily see His presence in All.