One of the biggest fears plaguing people in our society is the fear of never being seen.
People are desperate to make some kind of mark, anything really, in order to be known. Sadly, they will do just about anything to get attention.
Much of this comes from not giving people faith in God or their denial to accept Him. When this short life is all you believe in, there is an urgency to not be forgotten as the pages of history are continually being written. Many of us want our page in order to feel like our life matters.
On Fridays, I go to daily Mass and most times when I walk in at noon, in the back pew, there is a very old homeless man asleep. He never bothers anyone, never asks for anything. Nobody tries to remove him or bother him. Every once in awhile I’ll see someone lay money on his bags. Completely bent over, he soundly sleeps there in the warm, peaceful church.
I don’t know anything about this man. I don’t know his name. I don’t know his story. I don’t even know if he is a believer. I doubt many people know who he is.
The only thing I do know is that he keeps coming back because the church is a place he feels safe in. If not, he wouldn’t keep coming. Maybe he enjoys the warmth. Maybe he enjoys the quiet. Or maybe it’s because God is there and it’s the only place he feels seen. Maybe it’s the only place he feels safe and loved. Maybe he is actually listening to the Mass. I honestly don’t know.
Thankfully, Christ does see him. He knows him inside and out. He knows his story. He knows his name. And, He loves this poor man hunched over in the back pew who looks like he’s lived a very hard life.
Christ sees every one of us, Catholic Pilgrims. We don’t have to be famous or do anything history-book worthy for Him to know and love us. Thank goodness.
Have a blessed Monday.
