A mutual friend

Fairly regularly it happens that I meet someone with whom I share a mutual friend. The realization usually comes after saying where I’m from or what I do. That look of hope comes across the face of the other person and they ask, “Oh, then you must know N.” And the look on their face tells me whether it’s a good thing I know N. or a bad thing that I know N. That look says a lot. 

This evening I was in adoration at the seminary next to my temporary residence here in Auckland and as I was looking at Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, I thought of Him looking at me and I thought of Him looking at all my friends wherever they are in the world. By sitting in front of Him in adoration I am, in some way, sharing in the gaze of Jesus: a gaze of tenderness that he shows to all those who look upon Him. He is our mutual friend.
I had the same thought earlier in the day when I was sitting along the shores of Devonport across from Auckland. It was a beautiful day with the sun dancing off the water and the sailboats gently rocking with the waves. And it occurred to me that the same Lord who holds these things in existence is also holding in existence the barge-traveled banks of the Ohio where sits the beautiful city of Evansville. In some way, to look at this bit of creation with attention and wonder, I am in some way brother to the one who sits in Evansville and does the same. It is the work of the same Lord and His tenderness is shown through both.

The fact is that He is looking at me...always. With those eyes of mercy He is always looking at me through the visible reality He has created and holds in existence. If we can be friends in no other way, we can be friends in this: He is looking at both of us. His mercy is the same for us both. Perhaps we can spare a moment to look back in wonder.