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In Rome

This morning I woke up ready to take on my second day in the city of Rome. Feet willing.  Before I hit the streets Jesus invited me to sit with Him for a minute.  Just after one day already in and among Romans (and their tourist counterparts) the feat of bringing the gospel to them  felt overwhelming.

"They know me from afar," He told me.  It was in the same sense that I know Brad Pitt--recognizable but yet not known personally (but how cool if I did know Brad?).  

 After the nearly dozen basilicas I went to I was sitting in the last one a for a bit longer feeling somber and drained by the stares of ivory saints.  What was this fear that suddenly welled up in my heart toward what felt like cold places of worship?  

"Jesus what is this fear?" I couldn't look into His eyes. His eyes seemed lost from my sight as I searched for His warm embrace. The Jesus I knew and have experienced was distant.

"This isnt who I am!  If only they knew my love which brings them to repentance. Not rule on rule."

I want to know His voice, get lost in His gaze.  When that becomes real, no amount of hollow religion or condemnation the world tries to press upon me can bring me down. Only one thing is needed.  I want the greater thing.

I can love the hearts of every nun and priest. I don't want to judge their piety because Christ is being preached.  But I so want people to cling to and know the God of the universe, and the only faith whose God wants to intricately know you.

"But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."--Luke 10:42


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