Jesus showed me his face

It was in 1991 and I was 25 years old. Jesus came closer to me and showed me his face.

That day, I was in Paray-Le-Monial for one last evening of vigil before leaving the next morning. Many gathered in the chapel for a time of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The assembly was collected, entirely devoted to prayer and adoration.

I was also there to pray. And I observed all these people around me. Everyone really had good reason to be there. The chapel was inhabited.

And yet my heart was sad, sad for a long time already, sad to the point of dying, affected by a deep wound, and the desire for another life, eternal, without fear and without suffering.

In fact, for several years I had been suffering from unexpected loss of consciousness. The doctors said that it was not alarming, simple fainting, without consequences. And it was true, although it happened to me quite often.

It could happen anytime and anywhere, in the street, in the subway, at work or at the cinema, and almost systematically when I encountered a situation of suffering for myself or for someone.

Every time I lost consciousness, I found myself separated from my body and saw people running and bustling around me from above.

Paradoxically, in this situation, I no longer felt any physical pain but, on the contrary, great peace. Sometimes even, when it lasted a little longer, I glimpsed, a little further away, a space of life and light that attracted me.

Insidiously, a sort of unconscious search for these privileged moments outside the world has been installed in me, with the consequence of the progressive loss of all taste for life on earth and infinite sadness.

One day I took the time to remember all the times this had happened and I counted them. It happened forty times.

And then there were signs that alerted me and I realized that all this was not good. Not only because there were situations where I really almost lost my life by falling, but above all because I saw people, who didn't know me at all, suffer and cry over me. Also one day, when I had lost consciousness seeing a woman in absolute pain on a subway platform, I saw people gathering around me, calling for help and panicking, screaming, while this person in vital need of assistance a few meters away, was curled up and forgotten by everyone. There, I was upset and felt a great injustice.

And I remember, one night, I prayed: “But where are you Jesus ? ".

So I decided to seek God differently, and especially not in the afterlife. I visited many sacred places and pilgrimage sites. I also went to Lourdes, Pontmain, Czestochowa, Medjugorje, Paris, Taizé, Paray le Monial, etc.

And so it was on the last evening of my stay in Paray le Monial that I had this meeting that changed my life.

At the end of the time of adoration, when I left the chapel, I felt the need to turn around to look one last time at this wonderful place and all these people from the threshold of the door.

And there I saw, standing in the middle of everyone, Jesus walking slowly up the central aisle from the hotel. He walked barefoot, dressed in a white tunic, with his hands open slightly downward. He looked at everyone and turned his head from right to left. And he said to me: “Look... Look... I'm here! ". He was radiant in the midst of everyone, radiant with joy, with love for everyone, and radiant with a bright white light that did not dazzle because we could see every feature of his face. He was deeply happy, in blessing.

Apparently, people didn't see him because they didn't turn their heads as he passed. His voice was internal and people could not hear it.

Jesus came closer to me. So close that I could only see his face. He looked at me with a big smile. He wore a look of hope, like the look of children who hope for everything from us, without any ulterior motive or judgment. A look that frees the soul from all fear.

I contemplated the real Truth in the presence of Jesus. Truth from which absolute authority arises before which nothing can be opposed. I understood the meaning of the word “fear” of God in the face of the omnipotence of Truth.

Then, for a moment, I thought to myself: but how can you be so happy, when I am so sad? I felt guilty about this thought for a long time and I still deeply regret it today. Forgive me Jesus.

Then he disappeared.

I so wished he could stay with me longer.

I went home without telling anyone and went to bed, upset but happy and, to be honest, saved.

What seemed surprising to me afterwards was that I didn't even have a feeling of surprise. As if the presence of Jesus so close was not unusual to me, or at least not surprising. Besides, I spoke to Jesus as if we had known each other forever.

That day, I saw the main thing, how much Jesus loved me, and how much he loved everyone personally. He is alive, very much alive with us. I can attest to that!

He responded to my call. He erased my sadness forever with his gaze. It changed my own outlook on the world. God's work on earth is great and beautiful!

He also saved me because from that day on, my loss of consciousness, where my soul separated from my body, became less and less frequent, until it disappeared completely, and above all, I did not hope for them anymore. I understood that I had to live my life, be an actor in the world and be happy.

That day I truly met Jesus. He opened my eyes and truly saved me.

No one ever knew it, except a priest to whom I entrusted it and who advised me to take the time to discern, and then my wife of course. It was only after many years that I began to discreetly talk about it with a few very trusted people.

Jesus is my friend, present at my side forever.

For a long time I prayed to see him again, but, with the hindsight of time, I now pray every day that Jesus speaks and shows himself, at all times and in all places, to as many people as possible, and especially to the most fragile people, men and women of the world who so deeply need his help.

I'm sure he does.

 

What has this changed in my life?

After asking myself a thousand questions and trying to answer them, I finally realized the importance of giving time.

This meeting is so significant that it does not fade with time. On the contrary, time allows the necessary perspective to understand its deeper meaning.

I understand better now why Jesus said after saving someone: “Don’t tell anyone. ".

Jesus is not coming to cause disorder. He does not act urgently.

The risk is high for those who testify to find themselves in the light, in the spotlight and to attract attention. But testimony must open a path to God only. Jesus is the Light, everything is for Him and He deserves the glory and praise. Consecrated people can bear witness more naturally because their entire life is an offering to God for the edification of the world.

Testifying is therefore not an end in itself. It is important to take the time to discern what is good and to place our thoughts, our actions, and our words in the hands of the Lord to adjust our wishes to God's will. This is why testifying upon request or advice from a consecrated person will take on its full meaning.

Jesus comes to save men. And he does not do it by force or against our will. He respects the time everyone needs.

Jesus offers us a path of conversion in freedom. It helps us measure our needs, our expectations, our weaknesses.

Time also allows us to face the feeling of guilt that comes from the evil one.

Feeling guilty for not having been able to respond to what he gave me, for not knowing how to bear witness immediately, for not knowing how to change my life to let go of everything, for not having been able to show more humility and respect.

All this seems disappointing indeed, but it is about my own nature and my human condition. Over time, recognizing these weaknesses allows me to live more humbly in my rightful place.

Pride is for me the source of a great inner struggle. It is pride that instinctively drives all deviations in thought, language and behavior. Pride is the opposite of self-sacrifice.

It is in the humility of prayer that I can welcome Jesus into my life.

And it is through our prayer that Jesus can act among our loved ones and in the world.

Today, my faith is not to “believe” that God exists, but to “know” that he exists.

Knowing that Jesus is Alive in the literal sense of the word. He is truly present, at our side. I know this because he allowed me to meet him.

Knowing that Jesus loves me deeply, and that he hopes the best from me and for me.

I am aware that I have done absolutely nothing extraordinary that could explain so much recognition and love.

My faith is therefore neither glorious, nor courageous, nor deserved and this must make me more humble.

Moreover, I still recognize my lack of faith when I worry, and doubt the presence of God, when faced with unjust or hopeless situations.

I learned to turn more towards others, to be much more attentive and caring towards lonely and most fragile people.

I also understood the importance of welcoming the views of others and myself having an open and caring view of everyone.

This meeting established a deep, permanent, indestructible bond of trust in Jesus who I know is close to me.

Every day, and especially in difficult times, I pray: “Jesus, I trust You. »

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So I know with certainty that Jesus is the Word of God, the Truth and the Life. He let me see him.

But why does Jesus tell us that he is the Way? and that no one can go to the Father without going through Him? John 14.6

I know many people from all over the world, from Europe, Asia, Africa and America, whom I take as friends. Some are not Christians. They are of other faiths and some are even atheists, but each act in their own way for the good of the world.

And finally I understood why Jesus is indeed the only Way for every man on earth whatever his culture, his origins, his religion.

God is the Creator. I must recognize my condition as a man, a creature of God.

Not being divine in nature, I must understand and accept that my Salvation is in the hands of God. My human condition does not allow me to access, as it is, the divine.

If I do not call God to my aid, if I do not reach out my hand to him, I will not be able to access the Kingdom of God and eternal Life on my own.

There is only one Path of Light because there is only one Kingdom and only one God.

And this Path of Light passes through the Truth for the Salvation of my soul.

The Word of Truth enlightens my conscience in complete transparency to purify my soul.

And the acceptance of the Truth, which implies the recognition of my weaknesses, delivers my soul.

Without sincere reception of the absolute Truth my soul cannot access Salvation.

Now, I know that Jesus is the Truth.

This is why Jesus is the Path to Salvation, the door to access eternal Life for every man on earth.

Every man will face the Truth and see, in due time, the Path of Light that leads to Eternal Life with God.

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So, and from now on, all my efforts on earth for more truth, more love and charity, are so many steps taken on the Path to Eternal Life.

There are people from all backgrounds, all ages, all origins and all faiths who are very close to holiness even before leaving the world, and others for whom the path is still long.

But let's understand it well; the works are not the main thing.

How many works are necessary to guarantee my Salvation? Ten, hundred, thousand? Is there a price for the salvation of my soul? No.

Above all, let us pray that no work becomes a source of profit, disorder, or pride, for myself or for my brothers. The work must never become an end in itself.

Jesus is infinitely gentle. He doesn't tell me: “Do absolutely this or that”, but rather he asks me about my life: “Do you love me? ".

The essential thing is therefore to know how to snuggle into the arms of Jesus, to devote oneself entirely to Jesus. There, evil cannot approach. There is Salvation.

The work will be the fruit of this essential.

I also see a parallel in marriage; when man and woman become one, in spirit, in life plan, in confidence and in hope, then evil no longer has any control over them. They become co-creators and light in the world, in the image of God.

I know that living this every day seems unattainable, but thanks to You Lord: “Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”.

Let us remain in the Love of Jesus to advance day after day on the Path that leads to Heaven.

The Salvation of our souls is at stake, because only He can save us.

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Finally, why did Jesus have to suffer and die on the cross to save us ?

 

To fully understand, we must recognize the nature of our humanity and realize how God the Creator is infinitely greater than us.

As a man, I love my wife and my children, my family. It’s only natural, I owe them a lot.

I am ready to love my friends and neighbors who I sometimes barely know. I recognize their kindness, I respect them and I like to be useful to society.

If someone around me, or even a stranger, has serious worries, becomes seriously ill or finds himself in misery and distress, I hope that I am not indifferent to his suffering, show charity, and provide cure for free.

But if someone insults me, humiliates me in front of everyone, if someone spits in my face and hits me... I very much risk succumbing to the temptation of wanting to return evil for evil, to hate in return, to call for vengeance, to despise and perhaps even to kill.

Jesus is Love, pure heart and presence of God on earth. His love for man is absolute.

His death on the cross is the ultimate proof of his absolute love for men. Love that totally respects human freedom.

It is because he loves neither evil nor suffering, that he has never returned evil for evil. He did not respond to the insults and the outpouring of hatred against him.

He could have swept away the crowd in a flash, petrified those who attacked him on the spot and chased the demons from their hearts.

Would we really be free if God stopped us from doing evil ?

Our freedom comes through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, a sign left for all men to understand to what extent he respects our freedom, out of love.

No prophet, no wise man, and nobody has ever done what Jesus accomplished for man.

 

Today, let's understand it well, we continue to hurt Jesus every time we do not take care of the least of our brothers. I hurt Jesus when I am indifferent to his word and his presence in the world. He who loves me so much and gave me absolute proof of it through his sacrifice. Because let’s not forget, he defeated death. He is resurrected and alive, so close to us, if only we call him.

I am free, totally free, and loved by God no matter what.

So, there are only two possible alternatives before my death:

Either I recognize my condition and my faults in truth. I then turn to God and ask for his forgiveness. Jesus will save me and open access to the Kingdom and Eternal Life.

Either I lock myself in pride and refuse to recognize my sins in truth. I consciously reject the Holy Spirit of God. I cannot then be forgiven. I am lost forever.

 

This freedom is therefore foundational for our life. It allows you to choose between Life and death, for eternity.

Our freedom only exists through the gift of God's absolute love for man and this love was demonstrated to us by Jesus on the cross.

This is why Jesus had to suffer and die on the cross to save us.

 

Really, there was no other way.

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To those who do not believe in it; Rest assured !

John Paul II said: “Do not be afraid! », “Open your doors!” », “The truth will always prevail over lies!” ".

If what I say is false, it will be quickly forgotten and without any consequences on the scale of humanity on earth.

If my testimony is true, it simply adds to the multitude of past, present and future testimonies from others around the world who have experienced a personal encounter with Jesus.

I don’t ask anything from others and I don’t expect anything in return for myself. I just give thanks for what Jesus gave me.

Everyone advances on their own path according to their own personal, cultural and societal choices or constraints.

For more than 2000 years, the Good News has been announced, at all times and in all places, for the salvation of the world:

“Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. » John 14.6

            Guillaume M, May 1998