Being Aware

December 29, 2014

The Fifth Day of Christmas

 Click here for the complete text of today’s readings.

Simeon took the child into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Lord, now let your servant go in peace."

I can’t take Jesus physically into my arms. But I can be in touch—in conscious relationship—with him present in my heart. Whenever I want.

And so can you. That is something we have in common as part of our “communion in the Holy Spirit.” Christians who are aware of this can hold Jesus together. It is a communal “mystical experience” that is ours for the asking. If we choose to do it.

To experience relationship with Jesus, or with others “in him,” all we have to do is believe consciously and be conscious of what we are believing.

Remember, believing is a gift. We can’t just choose to believe Jesus is in our hearts. We have to know he is by the divine gift of faith. Jesus said, “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven… No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father.”

When we are conscious of knowing by faith that Jesus is in our hearts, it is a mystical experience—like the one granted to Simeon when he took Jesus into his arms and knew he was the Messiah:

“Lord… your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared…

a light… the glory of your people Israel.”

This gift is ours. But more often than not we ignore it: like an unwrapped Christmas present lying under the tree.

Pick it up. Take it into your arms. Be aware of what God has revealed to you. Rejoice in it.

Go in peace. Your eyes have seen the salvation, the light, the glory that God has revealed in the sight of all to whom it has been given to believe.

Pray: 

Father, thank you. The eyes of my heart have seen.”

Practice: 

Frequently during the day, be conscious of Jesus in your heart. Just be conscious of what you are conscious of.