Seeing Jesus In My Children
A prayer journal sits at my bedside. From time to time, when I am inspired, I jot down my thoughts, prayers, and observations of life and faith. A few months ago I made an entry about others seeing Jesus in me. For most of 2004-2006 this was a reoccurring and fervent prayer for me. I guess I was hoping that I would lead others to Christ this way.
It finally dawned on me that I've got it all wrong. Rather than other people seeing Jesus in me - I should make a point of seeing Christ in others. This new way of thinking will especially be helpful for me as I deal with my family, more to the point - my children. Adoptive children, especially kids that have been in the foster care system, can be tough to parent. There are days when they are just not likable. Hopefully by seeing Jesus in each of my children, I will be able to look past the moment and see their full worth as human beings.
As I write this, a few quotes from Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta come to mind:
- " Each one of them is Jesus in disguise."
- "I see God in every human being. When I wash the leper's wounds, I feel I am nursing the Lord Himself. Is it not a beautiful experience?"
The following prayer is perfect for our family. It is Mother Teresa's United Nations Prayer (composed for the United Nations International Year of the Family):
- "Heavenly Father, you have given us a model of life in the Holy Family of Nazareth. Help us, O loving Father to make our family another Nazareth where love, peace and joy reign. May it be deeply contemplative, intensely Eucharistic and vibrant with joy. Help us to stay together in joy and sorrow through family prayer. Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our family especially in their distressing disguise. May the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus make our hearts meek and humble like His and help us to carry out our family duties in a holy way. May we love one another as God loves each one of us more and more each day, and forgive each other's faults as You forgive our sins. Help us, O loving Father to take whatever You give and to give whatever You take with a big smile. Immaculate Heart of Mary, cause of our joy, pray for us. St. Joseph, pray for us. Holy Guardian Angels be always with us, guide and protect us. Amen."
3 comments:
"Christ has no body on earth but ours, no hands but ours, no feet but ours. Ours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ looks out upon the world, ours are the feet with which he goes about doing good, ours are the hands with which he blesses his people."
-St Teresa of Avila
How wonderful and beautiful! I love the wisdom of St. Teresa of Avila. Thanks JT!
I found this blog entry when I searched Mother Theresa's quotes looking for "Each one of them is Jesus in disquise" as part of my sermon preparation. Thanks for your introspection. It helped not only the sermon, but also my own spiritual growth.
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