With all souls

Jesus wants us to have this spirit, which is his spirit. Do you see his continual eagerness to be with people? Aren’t you moved to contemplate how he rejects no one? He has something to say to everyone, he speaks kindly to everyone. He teaches them, instructs them, and brings them tidings of joy and hope. What a marvellous, unique reality: God dwelling with men!

In all settings

Sometimes he speaks to them from the boat while they are seated on the shore. At other times he speaks to them on the mountainside so that the whole crowd can hear him well. On occasions he speaks amidst the hubbub of a banquet, in the quiet of a home, walking through the fields, or seated under the olive trees. He addresses each person in terms they can understand. He uses examples of nets and fish for seafarers, of seeds and vines for those who till the soil. To the housewife he speaks about the lost coin, and with the Samaritan woman he talks of the water she has to fetch from Jacob’s well. Jesus receives everyone, he accepts people’s invitations and, when they don’t invite him, sometimes he invites himself: Zachaee, festinans descende, quia hodie in domo tua oportet me manere (Luke 19:5); Zachaeus, come down quickly, for I will stay at your house today.

May no one be lost

Christ desires all people to be saved (1 Tim 2:4) and no one to be lost. He is impatient to give his life for all in an outpouring of love that is a perfect holocaust. Jesus does not want to convince us by force. Living alongside us, he draws us gently to follow him in search of true peace and joy.