Jesus in Our Midst

Homily for Monday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time

Over the last week, our Gospels during our weekday Masses have been focusing on some pretty similar themes. The Church has been inviting us to consider our faith in Jesus. We have heard about the miracles that He had been performing in His public ministry. We have been challenged to reflect on whether we recognize the presence of Jesus around us. Today is no different.

In today’s Gospel, we again have a story about how the people around the Sea of Galilee had heard about Jesus and the many miracles that He had been performing. They are filled with a great sense of hope when they see that Jesus was coming to their area and they approach Him to ask for healing for themselves or their loved ones. Jesus was in their midst and it led them to action.

That same Jesus is present in our midst at each Mass that is celebrated and, after we receive the Eucharist, He remains intimately present within us. Today, the Lord invites us once again to reflect on our faith in Him. Are we aware of His presence? Do we recognize Him in and around us? Do we have the same hope that He will heal us of our brokenness – of our sinfulness?

As we receive Him today, may we bring to Him all those areas of our hearts most in need of healing. Give Him permission to enter those spaces. Let Him in. If we do, we might just be surprised by what He shows us; we might just be amazed at the miracles that He performs in our lives.

Photo: Statue of Christ, from the Dome of the Berlin Cathedral. Photo by Ilona Frey. Used under Unsplash license.