The Christ You See

Mini-reflection: We are all in need of redemption. When we accept that redemption, however, we also accept a responsibility. Because now, we become what the world sees of Christ.

The Christ You See: “What if you are the only version of Christ someone sees today?” a friend once asked me. My blood ran cold. Jeez, I thought. That would be…really unfortunate. The world cannot accept the Holy Spirit, Christ tells us, because the world cannot see and know the Holy Spirit (John 14:17). But the world can see us. The world can know us. In this way, we accomplish the Great Commission: we go forth, and we make disciples of all nations. In all that we are and all that we do, we offer an explanation for our hope (1 Peter 3:15). We face a unique situation, 2,000 years after the Resurrection, because our mission field is full of people who have already heard about Christ. And they have zero interest, thanks-and-please-get-off-my-porch. This Christ they’ve seen? He puts himself first. He’s suspicious of other people. He’s not interested in mixing with the wrong crowd. He’s been known to lie, to abuse trust, to protect himself. Here’s the problem: they haven’t seen Christ at all. They’ve only seen Christians. It’s easy to blame the obvious culprits: the priest consumed in public scandal, the parish trustee who stole from the coffers. But these are only larger versions of the same failure of which I am guilty each time I shiver at the thought of someone associating my behavior, my words, and my attitude with my Savior. I am not Christ. I am nowhere close. But I am fortunate enough to be a member of his Body. We all fail, of course. Every apostle, every saint, every bishop, every priest, every man and woman in the pews: we are all broken. We are all in need of redemption. When we accept that redemption, however, we also accept responsibility. Because now, we become what the world sees of Christ. Am I ready to be the only version of Christ someone sees today? ©LPi By Colleen Jurkiewicz Dorman