I am with you


Deepening our discipleship, a realisation takes hold: the need to be diverse without being detached from others, especially the afflicted and those ignored. What guides this undressing is the Magister’s ‘self-emptying’ through his Incarnation and obedience to his Father (Philippians 2,7). Surpassing the romanticised idealisation, its implementation proves adventurous. 

This undressing articulates the desire to follow the Magister without ignoring what hinders me from doing so; it is neither forced nor imposed. Desiring it can be delusional when I fail to discern the need to implement it. This need is compromised when reduced to mere words lacking commitment to repentance: the fear of being unmasked. 

What is intended is not others’ conversion, but my own. Ignoring it explains the encountered inconsistencies. Sustaining them degrades the Good News to mere ideological affirmations, unable to communicate God’s love, which requires a desired experienced self-emptying sustained by repentance.

Alternatively, we auto-convince ourselves of our conversion not by what we are, but by what we say, which is blinding. Thus, we are reminded: "Why do you look at the speck of the speck in your brother's eye and ignore the plank in your own eye?" (Matthew 7,3).

Clinging to tradition, which includes lifestyles now compromised by the inability to witness Jesus, enhances our duplicity. It is tempting to be part of a privileged caste despite preaching Christ, so that our religious garbs witness our hypocrisy. 

Exploring our desire to follow the Magister, the Tabernacle's silence challenges us to be still: to empty our hearts of accumulated noises and listen to his voice. His warmth melts our frostiness, because “I will be with you until the end of time” (Matthew 28,20).


Martin


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