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Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

Readings of the Day
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In today's first reading, we get a glimpse of the intimate
relationship that Saint John had with Jesus.  John's words,
"...what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon
and touched with our hands," express a closeness to God that
most of us could only dream of. 

I must confess that when I read this, there is a part of me that feels
a bit jealous.  Why can't I have that same experience of
God?  Of course, the truth is I can.  After all, God is
present in every person I encounter, if I am just willing to take the
time to get close to them.

This is one of the great privileges of working for Catholic
Charities.  We have ample opportunities to encounter people on a
personal level.  However, it is also one of the great challenges
because too often, in the midst of our busyness, we can find ourselves
ignoring the person in front of us while we consider the many other
tasks and responsibilities that we have to complete that day.  Or
we might close our eyes to Christ in the person before us because of
their outward appearance or their demeanor or their behavior. 

All of us can have the level of intimacy with Jesus that Saint John
did.  Jesus is present every day if we are simply willing to see
him.  As we enter a new year, perhaps all of us can recommit to
drawing closer to the people in our lives and see in them the face of
Christ.

Peter Weiss has been the Living Justice Advocate with Catholic
Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay since 2017.  Peter's
role is to promote justice and Catholic Social Teaching throughout the
Diocese of Green Bay.

 




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