When my kids and grandkids were younger and just beginning to play hide-and-seek, they would stand in a corner and cover their eyes, sure in their young minds that this made them invisible. For if they couldn’t see me, surely, I could not see them.
Our lives of faith can also be games of hide-and-seek. We say we seek God, but sometimes we stand in the corner and hope we’re invisible, for we’re not always ready for the responsibility that might come with being found. Other times, we’re blinded by the “stuff” of our lives and just not aware that God is right in front of us, urging us to open our eyes and see. God hasn’t gone anywhere. God is not hiding. God doesn’t play games. God waits patiently for us, too, as a parent waits for his children to realize how silly they are.
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When I remove my hands from my eyes and open my eyes, what do I see today in Scripture? *** Open my eyes, repent of my sins and receive the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:38, "Peter replied, “All of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. Then your sins will be forgiven. You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!" *** Open my eyes not to the problems and griefs I face but to my Rabboni (Jesus) in John 20:15-16, "He (Jesus) asked her (Mary Magdalene), “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” She thought He was the gardener. So she said, “Sir, did you carry Him away? Tell me where you put Him. Then I will go and get Him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward Him. Then she cried out in the Aramaic language, “Rabboni!” Rabboni means Teacher!" *** Open my eyes (yes, eyes when I am deaf) to hear my Shepherd's voice in John 10:27, "My sheep listen to My voice. I know them, and they follow Me!" ******* Do I have the Holy Spirit? So I see the Shepherd, hear His voice, and follow His guidance!!! Without the Holy Spirit, we are not capable of hearing or seeing in 1 Corinthians 2:14, "The person without the Spirit doesn’t accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. These things are foolish to them. They can’t understand them. In fact, such things can’t be understood without the Spirit’s help!" *** John 14:26, "But the Father will send the Friend in My Name to help you. The Friend is the Holy Spirit. He will teach you all things. He will remind you of everything I have said to you!" *** John 16:13, "But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own. He will speak only what He hears. And He will tell you what is still going to happen!" *** John 20:22, "He (Jesus) then breathed on them (the disciples). He said, “Receive the Holy Spirit!" *******When/How do we receive the Holy Spirit? https://www.gotquestions.org/receive-Holy-Spirit.html *** Open The Eyes of My Heart by Paul Baloche https://youtu.be/ViBNqNukgzE?si=cJ11PFeGL1da4F0v
Steve….just amazing today. Hide and seek, I love it. Just loved Bill L and JJCs comments. How many times am I making myself invisible to or ignoring God’s presence all around me. Maybe today I reframe the hide and seek countdown and open my eyes saying, “Ready or not, here I am.” Still enjoying the Easter feeling!. By the way, I was intrigued in the Easter Sunday gospel reading with the special call out of the discarded linens rolled up, but not the piece that was over his head - that was in a separate place.” I thought how interesting it was that a gospel writer at the time felt that they needed to call that out specifically and it made me want to read about the story behind the Shroud of Turin, which I believe is the covering from Jesus’s head that has his face imprinted on it. That was the linen in the different place in the tomb. That’s the last we hear of it in the stories I believe. Would love anyone’s insights. Blessings to our community and so wonderful to hear from people who are regular readers but not commenters - who popped in to say Happy Easter! Wishing you all the same. Amen.
Bishop Robert Barron's Easter homily reflects on the shroud.Search on youtube
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those suffering in Baltimore with the Bridge collapse, Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, the Sudan, and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Amen! Thank you Steve for touching home with this reflection. The hide and seek aspect of this reflection is for real. When we blind ourselves to our surroundings, we are ultimately the only victim there. We may not see, but everyone else sees us. God is never blinded to us. He knows and sees exactly where we're at. May we cooperate with Jesus in his search for us, availing ourselves always to him in his quest to save us from all adversities. Open our eyes Lord, we want to see Jesus! Sending prayers and blessings for all with special intentions and needs today. Peace and love Living Faith Family.
Yes, Steve. The phrase 'Seeing is believing' comes to mind, also. Just as Thomas had to see Christ in order to believe. We too, must open our eyes to all the opportunities Jesus gives us to spread His love.
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