Experiencing Jesus’ presence — among people who are united in his name and ready to love one another unconditionally — is not only a significant step on our faith journey, or a necessary rediscovery to revive the churches. His presence also has a powerful effect on society as a whole. It is a way to renew different fields, such as work, family, politics, education, and many others.
In 1983, Focolare founder Chiara Lubich described the effects of Jesus’ presence to participants at a conference for people who are active in public life.
“[Jesus] is not only present in the tabernacles of our churches, and not only in the people who have been called to proclaim his message or to govern his Church,” Chiara affirmed. “No. He is also present among all of us, in the midst of us, his people.”
“This is the exciting truth that tells us he did not just pass through this world 20 centuries ago, remaining just for a few years. On the contrary, as the risen Lord, he is present in our midst each time we love one another as he wants us to, sharing one another’s hopes, aspirations, needs, sufferings, struggles, and achievements. He is present according to his astounding promise: ‘And remember, I am with you always, until the end of the age’ (Mt 28:20).
“Why do we want to emphasize this particular passage of the Gospel? Is this presence of Jesus that important? Yes, it’s very important! … For those of us who want to contribute to the renewal of the world, to whom should we look for guidance in building up the earthly city in a harmonious way, and as a continuation of the work of the Creator?
“Who can best enlighten us? Jesus, the Word incarnate. We need to look to him, and this will be easier if he is present in our midst.
“No one better than Jesus will be able to suggest to us what we should do, to support us in the work we have already undertaken, to correct us, or to give us the courage to start all over again.”
Society’s shot at redemption
However, the presence of Jesus in the midst brings about another result as well. In every human being, there is a longing for supernatural life, for a meaning that goes beyond our limited existence. Even renewing society would not be enough to fill the vast horizons in our hearts.
Chiara states that we are made for “the life that never ends,” which means that we are called not only to build the earthly city but also to contribute to the “new heavens” and the “new earth” that are to come (2 Pt 3:13).
“In redeeming the universe, Christ also redeemed all human activity. Indeed, he redeemed every human plan as well. The universe will not be annihilated, but transformed…
“But this will only come about under one condition. Our works will remain if they have been carried out in this world according to the commandment of love.
“And who will guarantee that our work is being carried out in this way? Who will tell us that we are truly building on the rock of love, assuring us that what we are doing will not perish? It will be Jesus in our midst. It is he who raises up every society, whether great or small, who makes it a cell of the earthly city, and the heavenly city as well.
“He will give us this guarantee. In fact, he is fully present wherever love is alive. His presence is a gift of God and, at the same time, the fruit of our mutual charity, the charity on which we must base all of our activities. The plan for a new humanity lies in him, and in him lies the guarantee that what we do will remain.”
Cells of a mystical body
Then in 1989, to the citizens of the little town of Loppiano, near Florence, Italy, Chiara explained another way in which Jesus can guide us in renewing society: through his presence in “local action cells.” With this term, she was referring to people united in his name, working or living in the same area. The existence of local action cells is very important.
“We have spread the Focolare in many parts of society, beginning at the grassroots level, with ordinary people, as Jesus did. He didn’t go around looking for the leaders. There were a few, but for the most part, he began with ordinary people…
“But now we are reaching a rather higher level. There are people in the government who were once Gen 3 [teens living the spirituality of unity] and are now adults and members of Parliament. In different environments — in schools, factories, and shops, everywhere, and in government, too — we can find two, three, or four people who live the Focolare spirituality.”
Though the path may sound simple, it is, nonetheless, powerful. “Get together, love one another, establish the presence of Jesus, and see how you can transform that environment into a place that holds positive values, into a Christian environment. See how you can spread love to others, and how you can change structures or create new ones.”
Local action cells are important because they underline the fact that in sending his Son to earth, God became human.
“Jesus became incarnate. He became man. So at a certain point, the spirituality has to become new humanity, new society… I have the impression that in this era, through us lay people, Jesus wants to come out of the tabernacles. He wants to go out into the midst of the world. He wants to live in our midst.”
Why the Focolare spread out
For Lubich, the presence of Jesus in the midst explained the worldwide spreading of the Movement just 40 years after its beginnings. In an interview for the Italian TV channel Telepace in 1995, she was asked what she thought could be the reason behind this rapid expansion.
“Actually, there are two main reasons,” she replied. “The first is that we establish unity among us so that Christ is present in our midst, and he is the one who evangelizes. He is the one who is responsible for its development. He inspires us, he enlightens us, and he spurs us onward. He is the one who accomplishes everything; he is the one who brings it to fulfillment.
“Having him in our midst is something immense! He is not only someone we encounter in the tabernacle, without knowing how to draw from him the power he can give us. Instead, he is here, alive in our midst! Therefore, it’s like a spiritual rebirth of Christ, of Christ in our midst. And he is present in every nucleus of the Focolare everywhere.”
As for the second reason, Chiara mentioned the fact that they have always remained closely united to the Church, like a branch united to the vine. Jesus present among the Church’s leaders and members, among those who are committed to live the spirituality of unity, is the only guide that ensures the future of the Focolare and all its works.
Susanne Janssen
(Living City, USA)
