Where do you live?” “Come and see” He replied. I think you only ask the Messiah where he lives if you want to ensure you can always find him. He may well appear absent when you arrive but of all places in His world, this is the best chance you have of finding him. I have long since pondered on why when faced with God you would ask such an odd question…. but as I do, I’ve sat with this some time and I’ve found some wisdom in it. I’d like to tell you a story about Helen. She asked me to clean the flat up for her, Helen (name changed) has been seriously ill for a long time, she has around 30 tablets a day to take, which often she doesn’t keep up with. I like her a lot, she’s feisty, she has a spirit that fights for independence on the very few aspects of her life she has control over. Often those aspects are alcohol. I’ve been visiting her for some months, the photos round her small but tasteful apartment tell of a full and interesting life. she has a keen interest in peoples lives and beliefs, we have had long conversations about Jesus. Helen has often talked to me about wanting to end her life, it’s hard to hear and without a faith perhaps I would agree with her checking out of what seems like a fruitless and mostly pain filled existence. “God still has something to give you in this” I said “He has a purpose for you, if you hang on and wait this out” I’ll be honest, as I looked at her continued suffering and inability to do even the most mundane things unaided, I couldn’t imagine what. Back to the Gospel… So where did Jesus show Andrew and his unnamed friend to? What did He show them that changed everything ? I guess to answer that we must consider where God lived…or lives. I think for most of us there is a physical place where we go to meet God, for most it’s a church, a place where the worship and routine of prayer is the purpose of the building. Yes God lives here, physically and tangibly. This is His home. But as St Paul tells us today He also lives within us. Perhaps Jesus showed Andrew an intimate tour of himself that day, maybe Andrew was guided round rooms within himself that even he did not know existed. I wonder if Andrew was surprised to find that he himself was home to God. I wonder if he discovered that the internal voice that was familiar, yet other had a wisdom that was not his. Have you heard it ? Perhaps that internal voice calls you to make changes and decisions that don’t make sense anywhere but in that somewhere space. A nagging or at times a disquiet you can’t place, but can’t seem to escape either. Its here Jesus shows us where he lives, in the facets and faces of the diamond that is your soul waiting to be uncovered and turned round in His fingers catching and creating rays of beautiful light. … As I cleared Helen’s front room, I took a snap decision and threw out the big dish of missed medication, it had been growing larger every time I visited. My motivation was to clear surfaces, order a little control over what was clearly and madly out of control. A fresh start. She protested a little but it was already too late, “oh love” I said “they’ve been there for months building up, you’re not going to take them now” There was a silence, more than a pause, where I could tell there was more to be said. The pills had been an insurance policy for when she couldn’t face another day. She’d stockpiled the strong ones, ready for that day, when it came. “And you’ve just thrown them away” she said, not angry but kind of sadly resigned. I was stunned, it had not crossed my mind for a moment that the dish of pills was anything other than an excess of medication. “I had no idea” I told her “I’m not sorry, but I wouldn’t normally be so bold as to just throw your stuff out, you have to know now that God must want you here for a reason” “Hmmm” she said “yeah, maybe” I hadn’t heard God call me to throw the pills that day, in fact it was more from hormonal irritation at the clutter, but it was God within me that saved Helen that day. I was humbled and awed, that despite me, God present within was able to act. I’m not sure, but I think until we have found where God dwells in us, it’s much harder to see where He dwells in others, and this is such an essential grace if we are to love as we are loved. I’m praying for more, I’m praying we all have more, more space for him to dwell, and yes, simply more of Him and less of us. Maybe you are still sceptical that God dwells within you, insert your own name into the story of Andrews companion. I believe that God is silently hidden in your depths, just waiting to invite you to come and see the beauty of what He has created in you. Helen continues to grow in faith, she has a peace about her these days that I can see is clearly from God having found yet another beautiful home to reside in. Please pray for her, I know just how much she would appreciate it.
#faith #TempleoftheHolyspirit #stAndrewprayforus #Godwithin #Christian #Catholic #HolyTrinity #homeofJesus