“THE REAL VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY CONSISTS NOT IN SEEKING NEW LANDSCAPES, BUT IN HAVING NEW EYES.”

– MARCEL PROUST

In the Society, we are frequently on the road. We travel to and from our services, working or volunteering our time to attend meetings, answer telephone calls or organise donations. There are home visitations and delivering needed goods and services to people in need of assistance to be done. The road is a potent place of exchange and change.

In a time of great distress and disappointment, the followers of Jesus were trying to make sense of the violence and trauma of the days that lead to the death of Jesus on a cross. Many expected events had not taken place, and even more unexpected phenomena had unfolded. And so, two of the disciples set out on the road to return home and their previous lives. But the road had different intentions for them. There is no going back to old ways once you have experienced the person and message of Jesus Christ. They met a stranger. They begin to share their stories and vulnerabilities with this stranger as they walk. The hours pass and much is revealed in the course of the journey.

Finally, as this leg of the journey comes to its end, they recognise Jesus in the breaking of the bread, who has been a camouflaged and constant companion. Their eyes were unable to see Jesus because they were looking for their constructed version of him, rather than the authentic and full person of Jesus who was with them the entire time. It was the Jesus that they had known and loved, but more himself than ever before.

In our experiences, we can also be trapped by fixed expectations or rigid ideas. In our works, conflict or disappointment can arise when we experience people or situations as we believe they “should” be, rather than as the reality and truth of who or what they are. There is a story about Frederic Ozanam who helped a man by obtaining employment for him. But the man once again fell into destitution and he returned to Frederic to ask for help. Instead of offering charity, Frederic lost his temper, turned him out, and told him never to return. The man had hardly left when Frederic reflected on what he had done, sought him out, and showed compassion to assist him again. He realized it was not up to him to judge the man but to merely assist where he could.

Among our Conferences and services, so-called “frequent flyers” can be met with internal feelings of frustration or exasperation. The challenge offered by the Christian faith is to move from these feelings to see the person with refreshed eyes. It is important to be mindful of the version of the person you have experienced before, but also to be open to the circumstances and growth that dwell with the person in the present moment. You will discover the presence of Jesus.

From: Firewood for the soul, vol. 2, A Reflexion Book for the Whole Vincentian Family
St. Vincent de Paul Society, Queensland, Australia.
Text by: Samantha Hill and James Hodge.