We look in mirrors every day—literal mirrors, as well as the mirrors of our neighbors’ eyes and faces. But what do we see: sickness or health, emptiness or fullness, anxiousness or calmness, rejection or acceptance? Oftentimes, we see but fail to recognize what we have seen.

In today’s gospel, Mark states that the “people immediately recognized [Jesus]” and brought all those who were ill to him to be healed. The people saw Jesus, the man, the rabbi, the healer, but they did not yet recognize him as Emmanuel, the Son of God. Their lack of recognition is not unusual. During Jesus’ lifetime, only three apostles were permitted to witness his transfiguration, and only one was given the knowledge from God that Jesus was the “Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).

Even at the Last Supper, after Jesus took and blessed the bread and wine, gave it to the apostles, and told them it was his body and blood, how many of them, though they ate and drank, truly recognized him in that bread and wine? Today, during every daily Mass, the same miracle occurs: simple bread and wine become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we receive the holy Eucharist in a state of grace, Jesus remains within us, yet do we recognize him there?

When we are sick, we yearn for Eucharistic healing; when empty, we long for the fullness of Jesus’ love; when anxious, we plead for Eucharistic calmness; when rejected, we long for Jesus’ acceptance. If we become what we receive in the Holy Eucharist, we become—for a time—Jesus. Do we recognize the Jesus in others? Do they, and we, recognize Jesus in ourselves?

Prayer:

Kind and loving Jesus, you have given us the vision to see. We pray that you grant us the ability to recognize you not only in the small, white host that remains in the tabernacle waiting for us to visit, but also to recognize you in the eyes and faces of the people we encounter and within ourselves as we strive to become more like you. Amen.