By Kathleen Kjolhaug
The professor stood before the throngs who were about to receive their diplomas. As the names were read, one word would be proclaimed sort of loud like—every so often. I hadn’t heard it before and thought it to be quite profound. It resonated distinctly as if someone had just gained an honorary diploma of sorts. The word resonating over the stadium was INABSENTIA.
After having heard it several times, it finally dawned on me what it meant. As they read our son’s name, followed with this word, I was now certain. You see, our son was clear across the ocean finishing up student teaching in a land far away, and he was not present.
Each time the giver of the degree mentioned this word, it were as if someone was being given credit for something fancy. Well, it was fancy alright— it was a fancy way of saying, “They aren’t here.” Another way to put it might be, “They didn’t show up!” Or, “They’re gone” —“not present”—“not here.” On this very day when one was to be handed a diploma, they either didn’t show, or for some reason couldn’t be in attendance. Either way, INABSENTIA was simply another way of saying ABSENT.
It all adds up to put sort of a positive twist giving due dignity to the person to be honored. The definition of the term reads as follows. It’s a Latin adverb meaning, “in the absence of.”
I got to thinking about this and what came to mind were my grade school years. There were days when a teacher handed over the duties of taking class attendance. When we were given this responsibility, we had to either place a “P” next to the little box next to the name, or an “A”. It was one or the other. You were either PRESENT or you were ABSENT. There was no in-between. There were no fancy names for it as if you’d won an award for being sick or minimally for staying home and not getting everyone else sick.
One thought led to another and I began to wonder about the end of our lives and when we meet Jesus face to face. I wondered if He will be so kind as to merely say, “INABSTENTIA” as opposed to— “ABSENT!”
So bold we proclaim our love for Him and yet so often don’t show up—we are absent in the midst of ministry. I need look no further than my own shortcomings, my own failures, my own lack of presence in the lives of my neighbor. I see my own lack of mercy, my laziness, my comfort and security with things around me.
However, knowing this is exactly why He came in the first place brings comfort. He came because of my shortcomings. He came that I might have life—because He gave His life for me and you and they and them. He came to proclaim that in our absence He is ever present. So short we fall and that is why He fell, three times to be exact, while carrying the cross before He was nailed to it.
The best part? He didn’t stay there. He showed up once again when He rose from the dead and the Good News spread—into all corners of the Earth. Can you not perceive it? Back in Isaiah 43:19 it was foretold. “See, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
And the best part? He’s not ever INABSENTIA. He is “God with us.”
Matt. 1:23 says, “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” The Good News is He will always show up at the mention of His name. It says so in Phil. 2:8-11. “And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
And there you have it. Just mention His name and see how He is “God with us.” Never “INABSENTIA” behind that name—ever! Amen.
