Physically Noticing Jesus
Mysticism, attributes, and praying in unlikely places
My best friends know I’m a cycle class junkie. My favorite studio downtown sets the vibe lights and cranks top-volume everything from Taylor Swift to 2000s rom com classics and, I kid you not, trap remixes of Adele’s most heartbroken ballads. We ride like the wind as our instructors cheer on our strength and challenge us to push, push, push through every sprint, climb, and cooldown.
Despite (or maybe because of?) all of this, my cycle studio is one of my favorite places to pray. The Holy Spirit often blesses me with incredibly special mental images of the Triune God’s love here. Sweat dripping on my bike, mid-pushup on the handlebars, panting for breath with my eyes glued to the instructor for choreo, I encounter the Lord in beautiful ways.
Recently, I glanced up at the instructor in exactly a time like this just to be hit with the thought: his arms remind me of Jesus’.
I don’t know why this occurred to me—in The Chosen our Lord’s arms are covered by His tunic, in The Passion they’re too caked in blood to be particularly distinguishable.
Maybe it was the way in which our cycle instructor spoke with a voice simultaneously gentle and strong, unmistakably masculine yet with noticeable tenderness. Perhaps his speech primed me to see Jesus physically in him, too.
I went home to my husband and thought, Jesus’ hands are like his. It helps that his hands are a little rough from working on boats like Jesus’ were from carpentry, and they hug and hold and care for me in a way that reminds me of Christ’s devoted love daily.
We inherit physical traits genetically—what if we inherit them in a spiritual sense, too? What if God the Father delights in the idea of some of us carrying His Son’s specific ear shape, widow’s peak or lack thereof, foot arch (how beautiful are the feet of those who carry the good news!), hair type, nail beds (visible moons or not?)? What if some of us have similarly-shaped scars on our arms and legs as Saint Joseph? What if the flecks in our eyes match our Blessed Mother’s?
We could get into all the saints, too: anyone have Gianna’s hair type and/or cut? Chiara’s complexion? Pier Giorgio’s height? Padre Pio’s nose? One of the teens in the young women’s small group I lead for my parish has a face nearly identical to Thérèse’s, which makes me smile because I know they love each other as friends chatting between heaven and earth.
I’m going to tuck these little thoughts in the tabernacle for prayer—I think the Holy Spirit is taking me somewhere interesting here. And I’ll be striving to better notice Jesus and the Saints in everyone I see throughout my days, too.
In Him,
-Eliza
ELIZA WEARS THINGS
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This 100% cotton sundress from Beyond by Vera is 1) named after Assisi, Italy (hi, Saints Clare and Francis!) and 2) significantly more twirly, airy, and comfortable than it seems. Adjustable straps, smocked bodice, long, tiered, and flowing skirt…a nap dress through and through! Worn with my favorite charm necklace and everyday lab white sapphire tennis bracelet: shop the look here.
I had been eying this incredible chinoiserie floral and bird pattern from the Hill House x La Coqueta collab for a month before I jumped on the purchase. I took it home in the Matilda silhouette, just a more formal than the classic Ellie thanks to its longer length, extra full and twirly skirt, and puff sleeves with smocking only in the back. In love! Shop it here.
I wore this lovely mini (but not too short for comfort!) dress from a longtime favorite brand, Ivy City Co, for a daytime date with Will last week. The pattern is a Liberty Cotton, and it’s easy to tell by its intricacy and old-world stylization. Shop my look here, including a necklace by Lisi Lerch that’s 25% off with code ELIZA25.
ELIZA LIKES THINGS
Sapphire (yes, real, not CZ or glass) tennis bracelets for way less $! I’m officially on the Aurate train after receiving and loving a blue topaz lab sapphire and gold vermeil tennis bracelet from the brand last month (it’s the shade in the middle of the lineup in this photo). Stunning sparkle, delicate but not too-tiny frame, and makes me feel so special and feminine to wear it on my wrist. Best part: use ELIZA20 for 20% off.
If you’re not paying attention to Red Dress boutique online, you need to be. I’ve been a fan of their southern-girl staples since 2013 (lol), and love how soft and nostalgically feminine this 100% cotton blouse is. Major bonus points for the ruffled high collar, puff sleeves, and lapel contrast. Shop it here.
Will can tell you that my Demi Janes by Margaux are the WORKHORSE of my closet—they get almost daily wear. This pair in leather woven in the classic caning pattern is beautiful! Perfect for spring and summer office and errands—I’m not afraid to walk miles in mine, because they’re so comfortable. Linked here.
I’D APPRECIATE YOUR PRAYERS FOR…
Pope Francis’ prayer intention for April of 2025, his last before death, is as follows:
For the use of the new technologies. Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.
Beautiful thoughts. Love you!