Lingering Longer
How many times have you been told something and not believed it right away? While I can be surprisingly, and sometimes embarrassingly, gullible, when it comes to matters of the heart or ideas that require deeper understanding, I, too, am quick to reject them. In today’s Gospel, the Jews are so opposed to Jesus’ proclamation as the Son of God that they attempt to stone Him. I easily identify with being quick to reject the ideas, proclamations, or even truths of others. But what stands out most to me is Jesus’ direct invitation: “Even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”
Jesus invites me, even when I don’t believe what I hear, to look deeper, to observe His works, to notice the deeper stirrings, so that perhaps I may come to understand. This reminds me of a recent conversation I had with a family member. We were discussing different views, opinions, and experiences related to faith. In the past, I would have quickly shut down and become very quiet, listening but not sharing my own experiences or opinions, perhaps my own version of “stoning the other.” I would have decided early on that, because our experiences were different, we would never agree, and, without realizing it, never truly understand one another.
However, this time I felt invited to “linger longer” in the conversation, to lean in instead of retreating to my comfortable conclusion that we would never understand each other. Leaning in was uncomfortable. Sharing my perspective felt vulnerable. But by staying present with both my head and my heart, we came to a deeper understanding of one another. We were able to recognize the “works” in each other.
This experience revealed my need to linger longer, to allow time and space to understand others, ideas, and, perhaps most importantly, Jesus Himself. His works are remarkable, including His many healings. But perhaps He invites us to look even deeper, to see who He is healing and to recognize the deeper truth within that. To do so, I must be willing to stay uncomfortable, remain curious, and look beyond the surface.
I am far from fully understanding the truth of who Jesus is, but perhaps by lingering with His works, attending to those deep stirrings, and staying present with others, His truth will slowly be revealed in my heart.
Lord, help us to look deeper, be patient, and remain open to Your truth.
Joan Ervin