Word about the Word

Because Jesus reassured that "when two or three are gathered in my name, I am in the midst of them" (Matthew 18.20; from today's gospel at mass), the statement is not fluff. Does it mean something for contemporary Christians?

His promise rests between the being-with bookends of this gospel: Jesus is Emmanuel, which means God with us (1.23), and I [Jesus] am with you always (28.20).

In what ways is God with us? Fr. Jack Mahoney invites readers of a Thinking Faith online-essay to explore that.