Peek-a-boo, I See you!
The young baby boy lay on his back in the playpen. A variety of toys hung from the rods that crossed over the play mat and he generally enjoyed reaching for them and playing with them. But this evening, he had another activity on his mind. There was a multi-colored flat cloth sea star in the playpen with him. He reached over for it and pulled it closer. Then he pulled it up over his face and lay there quietly, breathing more loudly than normal. When his caregiver heard his breathing and called out “Peek-a-boo,” he pulled the cloth off his face and, giggling with delight, smiled widely as she continued, “I see you!” Then he crumpled up the cloth again and placed it over his face, wiggling with excitement. Again, at her prompt, he uncovered his face with joy. The game continued for a long time. He would play with another toy for a few minutes, then back to Peek-a-boo.
Sometimes it seems like finding a time and place to spend a little time alone with God, resting, chatting, listening, or whatever, can be a bit like a game of peek-a-boo. Except in this case, we really want to keep the cloth over our faces a bit longer, just to have a few minutes alone with the one who loves us. But then someone notices and our time alone is over.
When Jesus’ disciples returned from their very first missionary journey, they shared stories and experiences. He explained some of the things they had not understood about the venture and encouraged them to trust the Father. It had been an exhilarating and tiring time. Jesus knew from personal experience the importance of getting away from everyone for a while – to rest, to pray, and to process what had been experienced with the help of the Father. So, he suggested they go for a boat ride. And not just any boat ride. They would go across the lake to a place where nobody lived. That way they could just enjoy each other, rest together, pray, and prepare for the next visit to a town where there would be people coming to hear Jesus and receive healing. Anyone who spends much time in the public eye would sympathize and encourage this kind of retreat.
They all piled into the boat and headed out across the water. Folks on shore watched them go, probably with some disappointment. “I didn’t get a chance to ask for healing!” “He left already?” “Do you suppose he’ll be back sometime soon?”
Then a keen observer noticed where the boat was heading. It wasn’t going clear across the lake! It was heading for a place up the coast where people didn’t generally go very often. It was within walking distance. Maybe we can get there ahead of him and be up close to hear his words and see his healing for ourselves! And off they went. “Peek-a-boo!”
When the boat arrived, the crowds had already gathered. “I see you!”
Rather than be irritated or getting back on the boat and leaving in a huff, Jesus felt pity for the people. They had no caregiver who would be there for them. They were like sheep without a shepherd, the imagery familiar to a pastoral people who had started out as traveling shepherds. He and the disciples remained there that afternoon, teaching and healing the people who had followed them around the shore. “I see you too,” he said to them through his actions. (Mk 6:30-34)
Centuries earlier, the prophet Jeremiah expressed God’s anger and frustration with the rulers of the kingdom of Judah, the southern part of the land of Palestine in which the people had settled after leaving Egypt in the Exodus. The kings of Judah had not been faithful to the covenant. Rather than care for the people and help them to live in harmony, they had cared only for themselves. They seemed to believe those over whom they ruled had been created just to support the leaders’ wishes and high-living. The Lord was not amused, to say the least. Through Jeremiah, he rebuked the rulers. “You have scattered my sheep and driven them away. You have not cared for them, but I will take care to punish your evil deeds. I myself will gather the remnant of my flock …”
Jeremiah tells all that the Lord will raise up a righteous ruler from the line of King David to “do what is just and right in the land.” This ruler will be called, “The Lord our justice.”
In this case, through Jeremiah’s message to the unjust rulers, it seems the “I see you” is not necessarily one we would want to hear ourselves. But for the ordinary folks of the land, and for those scattered into exile when their rulers were defeated and their cities destroyed, the Lord’s “I see you” was a promise of hope. All is not lost. The Lord truly is our justice. (Jer 23:1-6)
With the coming of Jesus and his death and resurrection, the scope of blessing, of “I see you,” was extended far beyond the original Hebrew community. Now those “who were once far off have become near by the blood of Christ.” Paul and the early Christian community marveled as they realized just how broad the Lord’s vision was. Those who had always been seen as unclean and unworthy of sharing in the life of the Lord’s people were now to be sisters and brothers of equal standing and privilege. “Peek-a-boo,” says the Lord. “I see all of you. Come, share in my life, my peace, my Spirit. I love you all.” (Eph 2:13-18)
Peek-a-boo is a two-way game. It takes at least two people to play it. One goes into hiding. Another must find the one hidden.
This week, may we be alert to the presence of the Lord in those we meet. May we also find time to hide ourselves from all the hustle and bustle of the world around us and let the Lord find us. A few minutes here, a few minutes there. Sing a song of praise while doing the dishes, making the bed, caring for a child, walking the dog. Out loud or noiselessly. Either will work. Turn off social media for a few minutes and read or pray a psalm. Say “Thank you” as the sun goes down in a blaze of glory. Greet the rising sun with a “Good morning, thank you, Lord.” There are so many ways and places that we can meet the Lord.
Peek-a-boo, I see you!
Readings for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle B
