Jesus in the Simple Things
How many of us have thought that, in order to find God, we need great experiences: pilgrimages, astonishing miracles, moments that make us tremble, apparitions. And yes, He can be found there… but have you stopped to think that He is also present in the small things? In the smell of freshly baked bread, in the gaze of someone who loves us, in a child’s laughter, in the gentle whisper of the wind, in the memory of a loved one, in what is simple and everyday.
Jesus Himself spent thirty years in Nazareth living simply. Even though nothing was written about it, the very fact that we have no record of those years tells us He led an ordinary existence: working with His hands, sharing meals, walking through the streets of His village, sitting at the table with His parents. His daily life reminds us that the ordinary can also be sacred, if we live it with love and with eyes open to His presence.
The problem is that we struggle to stop. We live surrounded by noise: the deafening traffic, notifications, conversations. And it’s not just the noise outside, but also the noise within: thoughts that never cease, worries, restlessness that steal our peace. Jesus knew this; that is why He sought solitude to pray, to listen to the Father without distractions. In silence, the heart finds order, the mind finds rest, and the soul opens itself to the tenderness of God.
What would happen if we tried a simple exercise? Find a quiet corner, turn off what distracts you, close your eyes and breathe. Think of three moments in your day that brought you peace or joy. Recognize them as a gift from God. You don’t need many words; it’s enough to say: “Here I am, Lord.” You may not hear anything, but you will feel that you are not alone. Let the peace of that moment surround you and, within it, you will recognize the presence of God.
Sometimes we think that the spiritual life is measured in great gestures or extraordinary experiences, but the truth is that the heart of our faith is lived in the everyday. In the patience to listen to someone who needs to unburden themselves, in forgiveness offered even when it is hard, in gratitude for a new dawn, in the simple act of sharing bread with someone dear. When we open our eyes to these moments, we realize that God does not only dwell in the temple or in liturgy, but also in every corner of our daily life. He manifests Himself in the ordinary to teach us that every moment can be a place of encounter with His love.
When we learn to discover God in the simple things and to listen to Him in silence, we understand that no instant is empty, and no solitude is absolute. Every gesture, every pause, every sigh can be an encounter. God walks with you, speaks to you in the simple, and embraces you in the quiet. To live this way is to learn to see the invisible and to listen to what the world overlooks: Jesus is alive.
Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Deacon Franklin came to know Christ as a child thanks to his grandfather, Nicasio Mejía. Nicasio introduced Franklin to the spiritual life and the doctrine of the Catholic faith. Because of this, Franklin was a very active member of the Salesian youth groups in his community from a very young age and, as he grew older, he received training to become a youth leader.
Upon arriving in the United States, Franklin worked for the Hispanic Youth Ministry in the Archdiocese of Boston organizing sports tournaments, youth leadership training programs, and an outreach ministry dedicated to visiting youth in prison. Deacon Franklin’s passion for evangelization led him to Catholic Television, where he was the host and producer of “Good News.” His desire to evangelize through the media was inspired by Pope John Paul II, who encouraged the Church to use all media to present Christ to others.
Ordained in 2014, Deacon Franklin was assigned to Sacred Hearts Parish in Malden and he continues his work at the Catholic Television Network, Boston in charge of the production of The Holy Mass.
He has been happily married to his wife, Wendy, for 18 years and they are the proud parents of Gabriel Andres, 17 and Isabella María, 13.
