Encountering Christ in the Gospels—Consider the Lilies

Thursday, the Octave of Easter. In the ups-and-downs of spring weather, Thursday was a very pleasant day for a stroll in the park. “Plentiful sunshine,” as meteorologists like to say, warmed my back while a cool breeze off the lake brought a bit of color to my cheeks. The dune grass was finally greening. Yellow forsythia blooms dotted bushes. Tiny violets peered out from the grass. Many trees were starting to unfurl their leaves, but the ornamental cherry and crabapples still held blushing buds tight.

More people than normal were out mid-afternoon, no doubt because of spring break for many teachers and students. Kerchiefed grandmothers pushed infants and toddlers in strollers. Dogs of various ages, shapes, and sizes were taking their similarly diverse owners for a walk, stopping every few feet to sniff something interesting. Groups of twos and threes reclined on beach blankets chattering away. Squirrels darted between people looking for snacks while children laughed, chasing each other and kicking up sand. Gulls complained. Teenagers swaggered and swore. A long-limbed fellow sprawled on a park bench, taking long, slow pulls on his cigarette, watched waves roll in and puffy clouds roll out, and earbudded people pass by in their own worlds intent on their workout or a conversation with someone miles away.

I noticed a man coming toward me, thinking to myself, it’s a nice day, but really, is he barefoot? He was not, but was wearing peachy-pink canvas deck shoes that had disappeared in the distance beneath his jeans. Long dark hair framed a soft, round face. We looked each other in the eyes and smiled as we passed, sharing a nod and greeting. Our smiles broadened as I read the white letters on his navy blue sweatshirt: “Consider the Lilies…” (Luke 12:27). My heart fluttered and my pace slowed by a beat. Maybe all the resurrection appearances in the Gospels this week had fired up my imagination, but I wondered, had I just seen the Risen Christ?

In the middle of his busy ministry days on earth, Jesus told his disciples and the crowds gathered around them, “Do not worry about your life” (Luke 12:22). Prior to my walk I had been feeling a bit overwhelmed by projects and commitments competing for my time. I realized that a large part of my attention as I walked had also been miles away, worrying about how I was going to get everything done. “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” (Luke 12:25).

I took Jesus’ invitation to consider the lilies, turning my attention from my worries to really notice the people sharing this beautiful day with me and “rejoice with him in his joy of the resurrection” (SE #221). Just as the man in the sweatshirt (whether he knew it or not) had appeared as the Risen One to me, each person in the fullness of their humanity was shining with Christ’s divinity. I relaxed, feeling reassured. God, who clothes the grass in the splendor of wild flowers greater than Solomon’s outfits, will provide everything I need. (Luke 12:27-28).

I didn’t turn around to see if “Jesus” was still there, preferring to trust and savor the moment we shared. I have returned to that encounter throughout the weeks of Easter, praying to remain attentive with gratitude for all the ways God feeds and cares for me as I go about feeding and caring for others.

With one more week of paschal joy to celebrate before Pentecost, Jesus tells us, go, share what you now know and believe with others. He promises: “Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:16-20). At the end of Mass the priest or deacon sings us onward. “Go in the peace of Christ, Alleluia! Alleluia!” and we reply, “Thanks be to God, Alleluia! Alleluia!”

Going Deeper

• You may wish to listen to some classical music inspired by flowers and nature as you take some time in prayer to review the Easter season with Jesus. Let memories of consolation, of joy and peace, come in any order. Jot down a few in your journal. Choose one of those memories to replay in your imagination. Recall the place, sights, and sounds. Notice who was there, what they were saying and doing. Ask Jesus to show you where he is in that moment, revealing his abiding presence in your life.

• Our lives don’t always align with the Church’s liturgical calendar. It may be that you felt alone and experiencing loss or hardship during Easter. In an adapted excerpt of his book, “Finding Peace Here and Now: How Ignatian Spirituality Leads Us to Healing and Wholeness” (2025, Brazos Press), Eric Clayton points us to the Spiritual Exercises and St. Ignatius’ invitation to “Consider the office of consoler that Christ our Lord exercises and compare it with the way in which friends are wont to console each other.” (SE #224) Ask Jesus to share how he has been with you in these difficult days.

Photo by Jenéne Francis

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Jenéne Francis

Jenéne Francis is an aspiring contemplative in action who enjoys offering spiritual direction and adapting the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius for days of reflection, retreats, and other Ignatian experiences for ministry leaders and boards of directors. She also finds writing creative non-fiction and short fiction a fruitful spiritual practice.

Based in Chicago, Illinois, Jenéne retired from the Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus in 2022 after many years supporting Jesuits and lay colleagues who serve retreat houses, spirituality programs, parishes, as hospital chaplains, and other pastoral ministers. In her first career, Jenéne worked as an R&D engineer at the Procter and Gamble Company (Cincinnati, OH). She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and School of Theology. While Product Development and Pastoral Ministry might seem worlds apart, Jenéne gets great satisfaction offering her engineer’s head and poet’s heart for “the greater glory of God.”