We just enjoyed a few days of “family reunion” time. Yes, it was wonderful. Now I’m enjoying the pictures – the smiles, the silliness, the togetherness. Of course I have the memories, but somehow in my golden years of “memory”, I appreciate photos to trigger the memories that may drift away.

My family pictures used to be printed and pasted into large albums. If a special photo was lost, it was gone forever. Nowadays the pictures are on my cell phone and saved on the computer. I can share them with whomever I wish.

As I browsed, it occurred to me that the head of this family, Jesus Christ our Lord, was missing from the pictures. The Bible gives us no “photo” of Jesus. We have words that help. Paul tells us, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” Colossians 1:15 In John we read, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 How could such glory be captured in a picture?

And then I looked more closely. Is the love of Jesus present in the eyes of family who care for each other? Can we see it in the smiles, the touch, closeness? Can we hear it in kind words shared? Is Jesus presence in this very gathering, the answer to my prayers that we would have time together?

Yes, Jesus you are very much with us. Your unconditional love fills each of us. Because of you, family love is possible. Yes Lord, you are here!

Judy