Tuesday October 3, 2017
Why do people come to us Christians? Some say, “We want to go with you for we have heard that God is with you.” Unfortunately, many others come to us because we run institutions, offer good administration, and engage in a variety of social services. These are commendable reasons, but the primary reason for people to come to us should be that they experience God’s presence in us. We must be men and women of God in whom people see God. Jesus remarked: “One who sees me, sees the Father who sent me” (Jn 12:45). St. Paul wrote: “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). Since God is love, the most effective way to make God visible in us is through our Godly loving. Jesus said, “By this all will know you are my disciples, if you love one another” (Jn 13:35). The attitude of James and John toward the Samaritans who refused lodging for Jesus is a counter-witness to love, and hence to God. Therefore, Jesus rebuked them.