Editor’s note: We asked readers for their stories of finding God in the unexpected. Today we feature a story by Janet Seah.
When I began praying with the story of the rich man in Mark 10, I thought I knew what God wanted to say to me. Like many people, I expected the focus to be on the man’s attachment to his possessions and Jesus’ challenge to let go.
Instead, I found myself unable to move past one simple sentence: “Jesus looked straight at him with love.” (Mark 10:21, Good News Translation)
Those words stopped me.
I realized that before Jesus asked the rich man to give up anything, he first looked at him with love. His invitation did not come from disappointment or judgment, but from love.
As I stayed with that scene in prayer, I sensed Jesus looking at me in the same way. It felt deeply personal. Rather than asking, “What do I need to let go of?” I found myself receiving something unexpected: the assurance that I am loved before I am asked to do anything.
That changed the way I saw discipleship.
I often approach my spiritual life wanting to do more, pray better, become holier, or overcome my weaknesses. But in that moment, God reminded me that every invitation he gives begins with his loving gaze. God does not ask me to follow him in order to earn his love. God invites me because I am already loved.
Since [that experience in prayer], I have found myself returning to that verse again and again. It has become a quiet anchor in my prayer whenever I feel inadequate or overly focused on what I should be doing.
As I continue praying through the Spiritual Exercises, I am gradually discovering that Jesus leads me not by pressure, but through his loving gaze. The more I am loved, the more freely I want to respond to his invitation, one step at a time.
Through the Spiritual Exercises, I have learned that finding God happens not only in extraordinary experiences but also in the gentle movements of the heart. This encounter came through a Gospel passage I had read many times before. Yet one sentence became alive in a new way, because God chose that moment to speak personally to me.
Sometimes, finding God is simply allowing ourselves to be found by his loving gaze.
Thanks. God’s Loving Gaze is truly unique. It enhances our dignity.
Gaze of the boss at work, of the teacher or professor during oral exams, of the police officer in uniform,
of the superior in a religious community of consecrated men or women, or of the judge clad in
the ancient gown can give mixed feelings. They all have ample room for improvement.
Allowing and getting used to the loving gaze of God can be soothing, empowering, and liberating.
Your reflection was very meaningful but what I found most inspiring and moving were the lines from Mark 10:21, “Jesus looked straight at him with love” I don’t remember reading those lines before. But I do remember reading similar lines in many different places where the authors were trying to encourage me to know how Jesus is always gazing, looking, watching, observing me. I’ve always “sort of” believed these words but for some unexplainable reason yours rendered my heart open and I have not stopped thinking about it since. As a matter of fact, I have been praying those words in my Examen the last few days. I’ve even brought up your name to Jesus. Thank you Janet for opening my eyes and my heart so that I can see Jesus looking at me with love even when I doubt it. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
This is lovely. A gentle reminder to not zoom past the treasures God has for us tucked into scripture! Thank you.
Janet, your beautiful and profound reflection moved me deeply, and it linked lovingly with the monarch butterfly in my garden this morning, which assured me with its own “loving gaze” that, like the GAZE you wrote about, it will resurrect me and immigrants like me from crucifixions ICE put us through daily. Thanks tons from the bottom of my/our hearts!
What a beautiful reflection.