Even in a Sea of Souls, Jesus Sees You: SEEKing Christ

An invitation to encounter Jesus through the sacraments, prayer and community, finding Christ's personal love amid the crowds.

(Photo by Josh Applegate, courtesy of FOCUS)

Piercing through the crowd, his eyes meet mine. Even though the spotlight illuminates the monstrance and I kneel hidden in the shadows behind hundreds of adorers, I find myself held by the Lord’s gaze in a moment just between us.  

Like he noticed the hemorrhaging woman despite the crowd pressing in on him in chapter eight of Luke’s Gospel, Jesus caught sight of me amid the sea of souls at SEEK25, a conference hosted by FOCUS each year. He brought to mind the words of Isaiah 49:15-16, “Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. See, upon the palms of my hands I have engraved you.” 

Engraved upon the palms of his hands, written in the scars from the nails that pierced him on the Cross, are my name and yours. Though thousands gather for SEEK, the Lord holds an individual experience for each of us. From Mass and Confession to tailored talks and faith-based conversations, SEEK26 offers a glimpse of Heaven on earth through the sacraments and opportunities for connection. While we bear our burdens and perhaps even the feeling of being forgotten, that glimpse of Heaven may seem unattainable. Hope, however, calls us to reach out to the Lord. 

As we close out this Jubilee year under the theme of hope, Scripture reminds us that “hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). The Lord wants to meet us in our moments of disappointment, isolation and confusion. 

My encounter came through Adoration. Maybe yours awaits in a talk, Confession or the conversation you have with a stranger while waiting in line to grab your lunch. 

In a few days, Denver, SEEK26 starts in our backyard. Will you let Jesus meet you there? 

+++

For more information about SEEK and to register, visit seek.focus.org/denver-co/.