Psalm Reflection: The Feast of All Saints (Cycle A)

“Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.” - Psalm 24

I once heard a story of a Christian missionary who went to China to minister in secret. Secrecy is necessary because the government persecutes and oppresses religious expression of any kind that does not put worship and honor of the government first. Christians obviously cannot do that and are forced to worship underground.

This particular missionary was staying with a family, and one night they invited him to come with them to “the wall.” They were not near the Great Wall of China, so he was not sure what this invitation meant. There was a hushed sense of secrecy and danger, but also a hopeful anticipation among the family. They travelled through the forest in the middle of the night, hoping to remain protected from persecution or discovery by the cover of darkness. They travelled for quite a while until they can upon a brick wall, a remnant of an old structure that seemed untouched for ages. After some time remaining still and quiet to ensure they had not been followed, the father reached toward the wall and grabbed a loose brick. He removed it from the wall, exposing a hidden lunette containing the Blessed Sacrament. This family travelled all that way, risking danger and discovery, to simply gaze at Jesus’ Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist. 

In our politically divided country and our fearful, isolated world, we are traveling in the dark. When there is no destination, the journey can feel completely pointless and without hope. Instead, the potential dangers in the darkness capture our attention and imagination, causing us to wonder why we are on the journey at all.

If our eyes remain fixed on Jesus, we have hope no matter how long or terrible the storm. Are you spending time focusing your attention of that destination every day? Are you recognizing the face of God in others? Are you inviting Jesus into your hopelessness, despair, worry, anxiety and isolation? Even when it seems like the journey is for nothing, God can reveal Himself in previously hidden and new ways.

This week, find some way to gaze upon the Lord. Spend some time in a chapel, stream Adoration online, gaze at a cross or an icon of Jesus in your home, encounter Him in Scripture, or strive to see the face of God in those around you. No matter the darkness, the persecution, or the storm, Jesus is there waiting to encounter you and walk with you through it. Go find the wall and sit with Him.

I am praying for you.

See you in the Eucharist.

Matt.