Where Is Jesus To Be Found

This week, @sharifawrites asked this question on Twitter: “I have been imagining where Jesus would be found if he were here (in the United States). Where do you think He would be and why?” The responses had me in tears as I held these word-pictures in my heart:

*Probably walking to the local church to speak to his people. But he’d stop at the spot by the Family Dollar where the homeless amputee, sleeps at the corner.

*He’d be late to church because he could not simply pass the man sleeping at the corner. Saw his face and knew his whole life and was moved by compassion to be with him.

*I think he’d stop and heal the man and then the man would follow him to church and the church would scratch their heads and feel uncomfortable and Jesus would tell them all a parable that would keep them seeking him for months.

*In our crumbling rural towns acting as the designated driver at bar close and the caretaker to the elderly whose children have left them for the draw of the city.

*I imagine Jesus: Asking “who do people say that I am?” on the Florida or Texas coasts (since he loves both water and talking to problematic religious experts). Hosting the BEST outdoor dinner parties. Living on the “wrong side of town.” Telling LOTS of parables about greed.

*At the border. Simultaneously weeping with families and calling out the complicit ones. And maybe in my house doing the same.

*He would be found comforting every scared and hungry child. He would wipe their tears and hug them until the tears stopped. Then He would feed them and tuck them in a warm and clean bed. The children would wake up tomorrow with a sense of hope.

Here is my own thoughts: He'd gently rub the deep indents that have been created on the faces of healthcare workers by PPEs at the end of their shifts and their faces would be simply glowing when he finished.

How about you? If Jesus was walking around the US right now, where do you think he’d be found? I hope you write down your thoughts in the comments!

Here is one final post someone wrote:

*Is it possible that Jesus would be in places that would surprise all of us in this thread, and not just in the places we’ve judged to be most in need? And is it also possible that, while imagining the “other” places he might be, we’re forgetting that he is right here?

Be well! Stay safe! Wear a mask!

With love,

Bishop Karen