Memorial of St. Juan Diego
Thomas Edison once said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
The people Jesus admonishes in today’s Gospel reading are sure missing an opportunity. They don’t recognize the greatest prophet in the world because he is dressed in camel hair instead of a scholar’s robes. Neither do they recognize the Messiah, because he comes as a humble man, reaching out to the marginalized and undesirable people in their society, instead of a powerful earthly king. Neither Jesus nor John the Baptist are dancing to the people’s tune.
How many times do we miss the greatest gifts of God in our lives because they don’t appear the way we’d like?
We don’t realize we’re worshipping with the angels and saints during Mass, because all we see are the walls and windows of the church. We disregard the grace of absolution given to us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, because we have to add an extra trip to church into our busy schedule. Our Savior gives Himself wholly to us, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist, and often all we see is the wafer of bread placed into our hands.
Let us pray today that Jesus will give us the eyes to see the countless gifts and blessings He’s given us, especially the ones that aren’t packaged the way we would expect and give thanks for at least three of them specifically.
Jeremy Kingston is a husband and father of four beautiful children. He enjoys reading, music, catechesis, and the outdoors.