Word to the Wise
Saturday, January 4, 2020 - Jan. 4
[1 John 3:7-10 and John 1:35-42]John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God." The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking for? They said to him, "Rabbi," (which translated means Teacher), where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come and you will see." [John]
JANUARY 4 ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON
I think many of us have had the experience of being at a gathering and while in conversation with the host we notice someone walk in. The host sees the new arrival and says, "Do you know he/she is? She/he is..…….." We may have responded, "Oh yeah? He/she looks like somebody I'd like to meet. Excuse me, please, while I go introduce myself!" Great relationships often have such a beginning! After all, it's not every day that someone meets "the Lamb of God!" The title alone sparks curiosity. And Andrew and his friend were curious enough to "follow" Jesus. Jesus becomes aware (as we might in a crowd" that somebody is "following" him and turns around (as we might) and asks, "What are you 'looking for?'" They stammer in reply, "Um....Rabbi, where are you 'staying?"" Jesus' reply almost sums up the entire Gospel According to John, "Come and you will see." "Following," "seeing," "staying (remaining)" are words that will echo throughout this gospel.
What are we looking for? That question comes with us continually in our relationship with Jesus. We have our expectations, conscious or unconscious. Jesus simply tells us to "Come and you will see!" We move from curiosity to faith, and that faith sends us to others, as Andrew goes looking for his brother, Peter, and then others get involved, notably Nathaniel! ("Nazareth? Can anything good come from there?") Those of us who are cradle Catholics may be in the position of having heard about Jesus for a long time but may need to be "introduced in person." Others, like Andrew, may not have heard much or anything at all, and encounter him through the introduction of a friend. If we reply to the invitation to "Come and you will see!" does Jesus meet our expectations? Or do we have to reassess all that we heard before? It's something to think about in this season of introduction to the Incarnation: an invitation to meet Jesus in person! AMEN