See What You See

October 6, 2012

Saturday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time

I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be hindered.  I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know.  I had heard of you by word of mouth, but now my eye has seen you.  Job 42:2-3. 5-6

"I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.  Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.  All things have been handed over to me by my Father.  No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."  Luke 10:21-22

Piety

“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.   For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”  Luke 10:23-24

Study

As Jesus addresses the disciples, they are not coming down from the mountaintop experience of the Transfiguration.  They are returning from their day-to-day earthly ministry.

When we allow ourselves to be handed over to the Lord, he will reveal to us wonders and marvels such as those granted to the childlike disciples.  Just as Job experienced tragedy and adversity, in turn by his childlike faith, he also was blessed again in abundance.

What wonders and signs Job and the disciples have seen and experienced are also sought by others -- both powerful and meek.  While many like Herod also seek these blessings, they are not granted to those who seek them for their own power and glory but only to those who seek them in faith for the glory of God.

Action

What has been revealed to us?  Amazing things are granted to us when we are on retreat experiences -- at Missionhurst, at the Dominican Retreat House, at San Damiano, and elsewhere.  But miracles also are revealed in our everyday occurrences when we pause to observe.  We do not have to be on the mountaintop with Jesus, Moses and Elijah to revel in the glory of the Lord.

Be attuned today to what is revealed to you in nature and the people around you.  Amid tragedy and pain and things that we do not understand, there also is unveiled beauty in truth to us.  Open your eyes to see what this is today.