Yesterday’s Gospel reading was about the Lord as a Good Shepherd, who goes after the lost sheep. It’s comforting to know that Our Good Shepherd seeks us out when we stray, get lost, or focus on presumably greener pastures instead of keeping our eyes on Him. So often, we think of it being our responsibility to seek the Lord, spend time learning about Jesus Christ, and communing with the Holy Trinity in prayer. When we consider that we are so loved and precious to the Lord that He seeks us out, draws us closer to Him, and creates opportunities for us to know Him better, it’s reassuring. It is also a source of consolation for us regarding our loved ones who have strayed from the love of the Lord. They may be looking for love, satisfaction, and happiness in all the wrong places, but the Good Shepherd isn’t throwing in His staff and calling it quits because some of us in the flock wander off, not just from time-to-time, but every day.
A close friend once felt very sad after having turned away from the Lord. I reminded this person that, though he might sometimes turn his back on God, that Jesus Christ has kept pursuing Him. I told him it was never too late to turn around and back that thang up.
Lately, when I’ve had some time before work or having to be somewhere, I’ll stop into a church or a chapel to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. Of course, God and His Creation are all around us, but somehow there’s a more powerful experience of His True Presence in the Eucharist. Even if we go from church to church, God is there waiting for us. He’s also in us and with us. When we slow down, we are better able to recognize those two facts.
Anyone who’s spent time with young children knows that Peek-a-boo is a very popular game. It cracks me up every time I hear a little one dissolve into giggles over a game of Peek-a-boo. I imagine that Jesus exhibits the same joy and enthusiasm when we turn around and acknowledge that we’re being sought after by someone who loves us unconditionally, knows us most intimately, and desires more than anything else to spend time with us.
The Lord Jesus is peeking out from the tabernacle, will you stop in to spend some quality time with him?
