The Gaze of Christ

The time in General Cepedo so far has been very blessed!!  At the end of last week the last two members of our mission team arrived, and it has been such a blessing to have everyone here!!  We decided to take a team retreat this past weekend.  At the last minute we were able to arrange accommodations at a retreat center in Saltillo run by the sisters of Mary Morning Star. They were such a blessing to us and the kids!!  It was such a peaceful, wonderful weekend.

We spent most of the weekend spending time together and praying through what ministries the Lord may be calling us to here in General and the surrounding ranchos.  We looked at logistical things like team schedules, responsibilities, and community prayer times.  But through all of the practical lists and schedules we continued to ask the questions of how to best serve the people here.  

During Mass on Sunday the sisters invited us to join them in their chapel.  The priest actually gave the homily in French.  During the homily a Sister Marie sat next to us and translated what Father was saying.  He was reflecting on the Gospel Matthew 5: 38-48.  Here Jesus is teaching us how to respond to those who come asking "press [us] in to service", who demands a cloak from us, or asks us to walk a mile with them.  He teaches us the response of generosity, the response of love, the response that doesn't make sense in human terms.

That reading alone is one I find convicting, to be called to generous service.  But what struck me the most was one line from Father's homily.  He was discussing how to respond to those who are asking for our service.  He said that when we respond to those who are asking things out of us (whether justly or unjustly), he said that no matter what response we feel the Lord is calling us to, we need to respond in love.  He said we need to "look at them with the gaze of Christ."  To be able to look at a person, and see not just the immediate request, but to be able to see past those requests.  To look at them with the same unconditional love that the Lord has for them.  To look at them with willingness to suffer for someone, to give without expecting a thing back, to love them for exactly who they are and still ready to call them to more, call them closer to the hope and joy they have been made for.  

How do I look at my family?  My community?  Those I am called to serve?  Do I look at them with the same love Christ looks at them with, or am I letting my own thoughts, agendas, and frustrations get in the way?  When someone comes to the door asking for something, am I looking at them the way the Lord sees them, or the way the world sees them?  And if through God's grace His love shines through the way I respond to those around me, what could be different?  How much could be transformed by the Lord's gaze?  

The Lord called us to General for a reason, and it is because He has people here that He wants to know His love, that He sees them, and that His gaze is a gaze that can change everything.  He is asking us to be His hands, His feet, His eyes so that can share his His unconditional love.  

On a practical note, we will be headed back to Louisianna this Sunday so we can prepare for the labor and delivery of the baby!!  We are sad to temporarily leave General after only being here for four weeks, but are so thankful that this place is already becoming home to us!  We will be back in General as soon as the baby's passport is processed!  Please pray for us as we start the next leg of this adventure!!