The Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

One element of Jesus' message that I believe is often overlooked is that He is present here and now in the forms of those who are around us. This is physically true for those who have taken part in the Eucharist; however, Jesus indicates that He is with us one way or another. At the end of today's Gospel, He reiterates this by saying, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." He does not mean that He is an outside spiritual presence, but that He is truly there in the forms of those who have gathered in His name.

People want to separate themselves from others--our society is replete with divisions for one reason or another. However, in doing so, we separate ourselves from God. It is in finding common ground and working together that we get to experience Christ in our lives.