Jesus in the least

Matthew 25 : 31 - 46

I wrote the following as part of my "self- verbatim" exercise for the CPE. I chose to dialogue with Jesus/ Holy Spirit about my experiences. This actually helped clarify several theological issues that I struggled with through the whole experience.

(this was a portion of the whole dialogue)

Self: There was a visit that brought up many feelings and thoughts. I visited a young man with brain cancer. immediately i felt do sad because as a mother I know how it feels when your son is so sick and you feel helpless to do much. At the same time, I began to ask, "where are You?" I wanted You to come down with power to heal him. As I prayed for him, I realized that I did not even know what to pray.......or hope for in this bleak situation.

Jesus: I know that as you looked at him something dawned. You 'saw' me there - inviting you through this vulnerable person to minister to 'me'. It brought tears to your eyes as that realization came. Why don't you share with me how that felt for you?

Self: Yes, thank you for reminding me. It was a graced insight - yes, I realized you were there looking out at me through the young man's big round expressive eyes. I was deeply moved because it brought home the fact that you are very close to the suffering. In fact, you are there among them. And I was awed by the thought that I had the privilege of meeting You when I minister to them. I realized it isn't even something I 'offer' to others as the pastoral carer. It is 'sacred ground' .....every suffering person is the place where You are calling out to me to respond. In the giving there is the receiving of the gift of Your own presence.Thank you for meeting me in such an unexpected way.

"He is in the pain, he is in the need,

He is in the poor we are told to feed

In his distressing disguise, he waits for us to surmise

that we rob our brothers by all that we own.

In his distressing disguise

he hopes that we'll realize

That when we take care of the poorest of them

We've really done it to him."

(Michael Card's song" Distressing Disguise)