Being Christ to Others

Almost everybody has asked the question, at least in his heart, “How can I possibly see Christ in him? In her?” Perhaps we will find the answer by first taking care of being Christ to others. We may then find him very easily in those we serve. We, the body of Christ, continue the life and work of Christ on earth today. If the world is to know how Christ loves, heals, forgives, it must have visible examples in the members of the Church.

Now, the essence of the life of Christ is that he simply “went about doing good.” He continues that activity today. The Head needs the hands, even ours, to bless and heal and wash the wounds of others.

We are called to speak to others, offering understanding, encouragement, cheerfulness, patience, peace. We can help them carry their burdens. We can remind them through our words—but even more through our actions—that God loves them. We are to be open to the needs of others, but also respect their privacy and dignity.

This might mean supporting them in their physical, emotional, or spiritual suffering; it might be giving them food, clothing, and shelter. But it might also mean supporting them in their fight for human rights, for a decent opportunity to grow as human beings and children of God.

We have been made adopted children of the Father, possessing God’s own life. The most obvious result is that we are to act like God, as every child acts like its father and mother. To be a Christian is to love as God loves or as Christ loves—which is the same thing. This is not merely imitating externally what Christ did on earth. We have an inner reality, the life of God living within our freedom, whereby we love as God loves, with his power, joy, and fruitfulness.

Francis had a great love for his mother’s homeland, France, and for its tales of knightly glory and courtly love. After his conversion, the delicate courtesy and respect for every person remained. One night, when Francis and the brothers were staying at Rivotorto, a voice was heard in the crowded little dormitory.

“Oh, I am dying, I am dying!” Francis and the other friars awakened and struck a light. Francis asked, “Who is dying?” One of the friars confessed that he was dying of hunger. Instead of dressing the man down as a weakling among giants in asceticism, Francis gently suggested that they all have a snack.

For Francis, courtesy and hospitality, compassion for another’s suffering, was more important than his own rules for fasting.

Being Christ is not only giving one’s life on the cross. It is ordering food for a little girl just raised from the dead, asking for a drink of water because the Samaritan woman needed his healing, being concerned about the embarrassment of a bride and groom at Cana, and putting his arms around the little children.

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Application to Daily Life

• How can you be Christ in your own home? On the street? At work?

• Ask yourself as often as possible: What would Christ do right now? What does Christ wish you to do—and to do in you—right now?

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Prayer

Lord Jesus,

it has been said that you have

no hands for your work and caring on earth today

except our hands.

Please use mine.

Amen.

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