Some years ago while attending an event in Leicester diocese, I saw Jesus walking in the crowds. The man was the actor who plays Jesus in the mystery plays (for more about him see the Being Jesus link) and had a really ineffable quality about him that got me thinking: what if Jesus really did walk among us and we simply didn’t know. If we made the assumption that he is indeed among us, would this change how we lived our lives?
I try to do just this.
Jesus walks among us
I know he’s only an actor
Playing his appointed role,
But can I be the only one
Who felt my heart lift to see
Those sandaled feet among us,
The archaic robes shabby in sunlight
And the dark curls of beard
Twitch with a smile as he passed?
Am I the only one to ask
A terrified “What if?” and wonder
If it might truly be Him
Walking among the crowds,
Still alone and set apart
Even when thousands press round?
Of course, I know full well
He’s only an actor doing
What his role demands of him,
But still my heart sings
As my mind asks, “What if?”