“Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?  I know who you are—the Holy one of God!” (Luke 4:34)

These words were addressed to Jesus from an evil spirit who was in possession of a man in a synagogue in Capernaum.  Jesus had come to the synagogue to teach the people when he encountered the man “with the spirit of and unclean demon.”  He commanded the spirit to come out of the man. 

How ironic!  Many of the Jewish people – the religious leaders, those in authority, even the people from his home town, did not recognize Jesus for who he was—the Son of the living God.  Yet, throughout the gospels, we see reports of evil spirits who recognize Jesus, cower at his presence, and beg him not to destroy them. 

We should not be too critical of the people of Jesus’ day in not to recognizing him, for how often have we failed to recognize Jesus’ presence in our lives?  The world and its many attractions, demands, and cares often dull our senses to the presence of Jesus.  Our busyness causes us to overlook his work in us and others.  Our low expectations of God obscure his action in our lives.  The noise in our lives obscures his quiet whisper in our thoughts.

This past weekend I had the privilege of taking communion to men in the local jail.  I saw Jesus in the men who were eager to understand Sunday’s gospel readings.  They are searching for the truth in acknowledging their circumstances and in desiring to bring change to their lives. 

It is not uncommon for us to miss the presence of Jesus in our family and those closest to us.  When I take time to reflect, I see Jesus in my wife who has cooked meals for an elderly couple in our neighborhood or for people going through chemotherapy or facing other medical issues.   I see Jesus in our adult children who are all raising active families and passing on our heritage of faith to their children. 

Mother Theresa used to say that one of her motivations for serving the poorest of the poor was that she saw the face of Jesus in every one of them.  How many times have I failed to see the presence of Jesus in the people who intersect with my life? 

Do you recognize Jesus in your thoughts, or in the actions of others?