Nevertheless, in this dark conscience it behoves him to labour and sweat; that is to say, it behoveth thee to draw thy thoughts into thyself from all bodily things as much as thou canst, and then when thou findest right nought but sorrow and pain, and blindness in this darkness, if thou wilt find Jesus, thou must suffer the pain of this dark conscience, and abide awhile therein. And here also thou must beware that thou take Jesus Christ into thy thoughts against this darkness in thy mind, by busy prayer and fervent desire to God, not setting the point of thy thoughts on that aforesaid nought, but on Jesus Christ whom thou desirest. Think stiffly on His Passion and on His humility, and through His might thou shalt arise. Do as if thou wouldst beat down this dark image, and go through-stitch with it. Thou shalt hate and loathe this darkness, and this nought, just as the devil, and thou shalt despise and all to break it. Brest it. For within this nought is Jesus hid in His joy, whom thou shalt not find with all thy seeking, unless thou pass this darkness of conscience. (John Climacus)

Jesus is not hidden to me.

I may not always recognize him. I may even try to ignore him.

But Jesus is always present.

I hesitated in writing "always", but I cannot remember when Jesus was not very close at hand. His presence is cause for confidence, embarrassment, joy, tears, hope and much more.

Jesus is so present with me that I almost certainly take Jesus for granted. I am not intimate with Jesus. But he is intimate with me.

I have neglected a great gift.

Despite all stay with me, Jesus. Stay with us.

The image is of Christ at Emmaus by Caravaggio