Many times, in the New Testament, when people encounter Jesus, they want him to stay with them, and he does, even if it is for just a relatively short time. One of these incidents is when Jesus asks the Samaritan woman at the well for a drink of water. I think most of us know the story. Towards the end of the encounter they ask him to stay with them and he does, two whole days! Another encounter is after the resurrection, when two men on their way to Emaus encounter Jesus and they ask him to stay, because it is getting late. He does, and in breaking of the bread they recognize him as the Risen Lord. Yet, another encounter is when Mary Magdalene meets Jesus on the morning of the resurrection and she wants to cling to him. When Jesus is transfigured on Mount Tabor, Peter wants to erect tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. He seems to be saying, “Stay with us, please.”
Jesus is always inviting us to stay with him. He calls the apostles and disciples and they follow him. In the Garden of Gethsemani where he prays, before he is arrested, he takes three of his followers with him. He wants them to stay with him as he prays, and sometimes like me, they fall asleep. “Stay with me.”
I think that it is part of human nature to want someone to stay with us, even if it can only be for a short period of time. Who does not have individuals in our lives who are willing to linger a little longer with us. Most of us like to be around people, at least for a little time. Who has not heard the phrase, “Come early and stay late.” For me, when my children, grandchildren, siblings, and other family members and friends come to visit, I joyfully anticipate their arrival and am saddened when they leave. That’s life. When my friends and I go fishing for a week, it just gets over too soon.
In our prayer life, how often do we rush through it? How many of us get to mass just as it begins and rush out afterwords? How many of us take the time to attend Adoration of the Eucharist? How many of us just don’t have the time to stay a while? Now that I am retired, it seems that I have more time for prayer, for visiting, for reading, and for helping out. I also have more time for yard work and chores!
At the same time, I am hearing Jesus responding to me that he wants me to spend a little more time with him. I hear him say, “Stay with me a little longer.” I say to him, “Stay with us a little longer.” How about you? Can you hear Jesus say, “Stay with me a little longer.” Can you invite him, “Stay with us.”?
“May the Lord bless and keep you. May He let His face shine upon you, be gracious to you and give you His peace.”
