That we may shine

John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." (John 1:26-27)

That we may shine

He always stands among us, this One for whom we wait, ever near, waiting to be recognized.

We were not present along Jordan’s stream where John, the Baptizer, prepared human hearts and minds to receive the Christ soon to appear. But the Spirit of he who is Life and Love breathes in people and places you do not know, a mystery living among us whom we dare not miss lest we miss our life.

For he is our life; he is Life itself, the source from whom we come and to whom we go when this life is done with us. The soul’s joy and fulfillment, the final satisfaction of our hearts rises within us as we see and know him.

So surprise us, blessed Christ; startle and wake us from sleep that we see and love you in every place of our habitation. Grant that we may know your love in the curve of every smile that lifts our hearts.

Open our hearts to every soul we meet, especially those most in need, for you wait there, eager for us see and love you who are Love … that the everlasting circle of Love’s self-giving may course among us.

Open our eyes to see you in the ebullient blue of sun-kissed winter mornings, even as we wait, impatiently, for earth’s greening to come once more to announce the resurrection you bring to us every morn … and in every moment of seeing you.

We need to wake to your presence and feel you present within us, for you are Life. You are our peace.

So shine, would you please, on this new day. Reveal your face that ours may shine, too.

Pr. David L. Miller