Presence

Someone said that where two or three Filipinos are gathered together, there is a picture taking there!

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In today’s gospel (Matthew 18:15-20), Jesus tells us: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” May we become more aware of the Lord’s presence in our midst, and in each one of us. Yes, He is with us always and in all ways.

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“Whatever you do to the least of your brothers and sisters, that you do unto me” (Matthew 25:40). If we are mindful of the Lord’s presence in every person, then maybe we can become more respectful, more caring, and more loving of each other.

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I remember one time when we had a meeting in our community which became very long and winding, going nowhere about a certain issue. Just when we were getting frustrated and tired with the discussions, a confrere stood up and said: “Let us pause and be silent and bow our heads before the Lord.” It was a pause that refreshed us, and helped us to move on. Come Holy Spirit! The Lord’s presence makes a difference.

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Speaking of presence, ask yourself today: What kind of presence am I to others? Am I a loving, joyful, humble presence to others? Or am I an angry, cold, proud presence to others? Do people see the Lord’s presence in me, or do people just see me, me, me, and just me?

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Sharing with you this beautiful prayer of Mother Teresa: Dear Jesus, help us to spread Your fragrance everywhere we go. Flood our souls with Your spirit and life. Penetrate and possess our whole being so utterly, that our lives may only be a radiance of Yours. Shine through us, and be so in us, that every person we should come in contact with may feel Your presence in our soul. Let them look up and see no longer us, but only Jesus. Stay with us, and then we shall begin to shine as You shine; so to shine as to be a light to others; the light, Jesus, will be all from You. None of it will be ours. It will be You shining on others through us. Let us thus praise You in the way You love best, by shining on those around us. Let us preach You without preaching: not by words, but by our example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what we do, the evident fullness of the love our hearts bear for You. Amen.

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“Again, Amen I say to you, if two of you agree about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my Heavenly Father.” Individual prayers are powerful, but more so shared prayers. Whenever we can, let us begin and end our conversations or gatherings by acknowledging God’s presence in our midst, in our problems, and in our undertakings. Let us learn to pray with each other, for each other, whenever, wherever.

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Is there anything that is bothering you or frightening you right now? Stop. Pause for a while. Pray. The Lord is with you. The Lord is listening, right now. It is the presence of God that calms us. It is the love of God that assures us.

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As we journey on, let us keep seeking the presence and love of God, and let us keep sharing the presence and love of God wherever we go, and in whatever we say or do. May we become living reminders that God is present and alive in the here, and in the now.

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A moment with the Lord.Lord, help us to be aware more and more of Your Presence inside us, outside us, between us, and among us. Amen.

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