For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
Matthew 18:20 (NIV)

In a church. Not in a church. Around a campfire. Not around a campfire. At a commune. Not at a commune. At a covered-dish supper. Not at a covered-dish supper. There is no right or wrong place to come together in the name of Jesus.

As a kid, I was all kinds of wrapped up in the necessity of going to church, bowing my head, and sitting still while the acolytes lit candles, the choir sang, the minister spoke, and the collection plate was passed. Because I don’t have the best singing voice and felt embarrassed by the sound of it, I never enjoyed singing hymns with others. I also had a hard time praying things that were put on paper by someone else. It all felt staged to me. But, I was brought up to believe that going to church was how I would find Jesus, so I went to church every Sunday.

What I have learned as I have become an adult and walked on my own spiritual path is that Jesus lives in my heart. He also lives in the hearts of so many other human beings as they walk through each day of their life. I could never quite put my finger on it, but I have always been able to discern when I am talking to another believer. There is something about them – beyond how they look – that attracts me. I have never really understood this, but always knew it to be so.

This morning, as I was reading The Holy Longing by Ronald Rolheiser, my brain finally made the connection with my heart and I understood, for the first time, why this discernment is possible. When I am with another human being who believes that Jesus lives in their heart, no matter where we are, we are the Body of Christ. We are the Incarnation as we stand or sit together in conversation or in silence. Whether we are at work, in a restaurant, or sitting in our assigned seats on an airplane, when we both believe Jesus lives in our hearts, we are the Body of Christ. When we come together, He is there.

Today, as I walk about knowing You are in my heart, I will also recognize and welcome Your Presence as I meet fellow believers.