Gathered together in His name

My wife and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary by visiting Walt Disney World in Florida. Spending a week at Disney World is really not a unique thing for us as both my wife and I enjoy Disney World. The employees are trained to treat everyone special and for a few days you can forget the demands of the world.

On our drive home I thought back on our trips to Disney World and wondered why we would go there so many times. Yes the employees are all nice but it has to be more than just the employees. The Sunday Mass readings from the Gospel of Matthew (18:15-20) may shed some light on my thoughts particularly: 

     "For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
     there am I in the midst of them.”

Now I am going to use a very simplistic view of this verse. Growing up I would always think Jesus was talking about gathering in a church, an actual building. It is where I would see people praying together as a group. Now imagine a group gathering everyday but at Disney World.  Every morning during our stay at Disney World my wife and I would go stand in a line to wait for the Disney World transportation. Each day the numbered of people waiting for these buses would vary. Some mornings there were only 4 or 5 people waiting while other mornings there would be close to 50 persons in line. The number of people in line never made a difference though because you always waited in the morning heat for the bus. The unique thing is everyone was happy and smiling.  During the long day of walking you could still see smiling, happy faces. I would see people helping others throughout the day and at the end of a long hot day they would give up their seat on the bus to those who seemed to need it more.

Our praying, our gathering together in the name of Jesus is more than reciting prayers.  It is a way of life. When we gather together in happiness and love we reflect our love of Jesus. Love is the prayer of Jesus. We are offering up to Jesus his prayer when we show love to others.

Maybe it is not the rides and attractions that bring us back to Disney World every year. Maybe it is the happiness and contentment that comes from gathering together in the love of God. Does Disney World give some the opportunity to love Jesus without our vanities getting in the way? I am sure each of us has a place we like to visit that seems to be perfect for us. Where we can let go of worldly expectations, let our guard down and truly be who God created us to be. Where is your place? Find it and try to keep that feeling with you even as you return to your daily routine. God is love. Gather together in love of neighbor and Jesus will be with you.