COME AND SEE, SEE AND ADORE, ADORE AND FOLLOW

This is intended to be the essential sequence of events in our lives as a result of Christmas, as a result of the Incarnation, as a result of the promise of redemption/healing/transformation.

To come means to make a choice, to be willing to make a journey (perhaps of only a few steps, perhaps only of a few movements of our hearts). It is to make a provisional and preliminary act of trusting faith (fiducia)—more hopeful and open than confident. And that’s fine.

To see means to recognize the reality rather than simply looking at the superficial. None of us wants only to be known for our outward appearances (other than those whose self-image, sadly, is so marred that they think that is all worthwhile that they have). We want to see and be seen with “the eyes of the heart.” Remember The Little Prince: “What is essential is invisible to the eye.” True seeing is the basis of true encounter, of true relationship; it is to allow another to enter into our soul, and for us to be welcomed into another’s soul.

When we see the reality of Christmas with the eyes of faith, we adore, and adoration, after all, is simply another, and stronger, word for love. To say “Jesus, I adore you” is to say “Jesus, I love you.” It is also to say “Jesus, I trust in you and thank you for your unconditional love for me that I can only vaguely reflect back.”

This kind of adoration naturally leads to desire to remain in contact, to remain close: to follow, to identify with, to attach to. Think of the woman (perhaps the one caught in adultery in John 8) who comes to the meal in the Pharisee’s house to anoint Jesus’ feet (Luke 7). She was forgiven much, so she loves much. Think of blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10)—given his sight, he immediately follows Jesus “on the way” (circumlocution then for becoming a disciple). Think of the crippled man healed by Peter and John (Acts 3). Now able to walk, he clung to them in joy.
This is our final goal, isn’t it—to cling to Jesus, knowing that we have been forgiven much, have been granted true sight (insight), can now walk the Way.

When we look at our manger scene, I would want our minds and hearts and spirits to be lifted up to the Lord of all—I would want us to recognize in the ceramic figurine a symbol of the reality we encounter in the Eucharist, which itself is the ultimate (and real) Presence of the one we want truly to see, and therefore to adore/love, and therefore to cling to. He is born this day for us! Come to receive your Lord in Holy Communion and recognize the One who is Love Incarnate, for us. Don’t simply look—really see, then fall in love, and then cling with all your strength. Merry Christ-Mass to everyone! -Fr. David