What Are You Looking For?

I once wrote, “essentially, Christian leaders are bridge builders, but even the thought of building a bridge might be too complicated. I’ve always pictured it like this….I hold the hand of Jesus and I hold the hand of the person I love, or serve, or that I am called to lead. After holding both hands for a specific amount of time, it becomes clear when I am to join their hands together and simply step out of the way.” Today’s gospel is the scene when John the Baptist joins Andrew’s hand to Jesus and then he steps out of the way. John’s disciples had been hearing about this mystery Messiah that was going to show up soon because John had been carrying on and on about it so vehemently. Alright, we get it already, you’re not the Messiah, you’re not even worthy to untie his sandals, he ranks ahead of you, blah, blah, blah, and we can’t wait to meet him!!! Then, on cue, Jesus walks by! This just makes me laugh. Have you ever been talking about someone and they show up on the scene!! Sometimes it’s awkward, but most of the times it is a fun surprise, “Hey, we were just talking about you!!” “Behold, the Lamb of God.” I bet that was John’s favorite utterance in his ministry. Look, I told you he was coming, and there he is. This must have been a great sigh of relief for John and I’m sure it tamed any doubts in his head. When John’s disciples heard this, they started following him. I can just imagine Jesus chuckling at the scenario. It’s not like he didn’t hear John say, “Behold, the Lamb of God,” John was not such a soft-spoken character. I wonder how long he let them follow before he turned and said, “What are you looking for?” Their answer, “Rabbi.” They wanted to be taught and so he invited them to come and stay with him. Once he started teaching them, they knew for themselves what John had been saying was true, and they wanted to share him with their loved ones. Jesus accepted Simon in and changed his name because he would no longer be the same. 

This is a glimpse into conversion. A bold witness gives testimony as to who Jesus is in their life, others are compelled to follow him, Jesus invites them in and starts a relationship, they bring others to Jesus, and Jesus changes their names. We are all called to do what John the Baptist did: proclaim Jesus as the Savior. Each one of us is called to proclaim Messiah in our own unique way. People will start to crave what you have: peace, joy, light, goodness, kindness, love, etc. They will recognize Jesus walking among them, and they will seek him out. They will spend time with him, and then they will proclaim him as Savior. It’s not very complicated, but I know that I miss these simple opportunities everyday. Today, I’m reminded that I see Jesus walking by all the time and I do not declare, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Jesus is in each and every person we meet (and in each one of us). May we recognize him today so that we can be changed. Jesus asks us, what are you looking for? What new name does he give you this day? Jen, you will now be called, Joy, translated My Laughter. And it is well with my soul. 

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious
Lectionary: 207

Reading 1 1 JN 3:7-10

Children, let no one deceive you. 
The person who acts in righteousness is righteous,
just as he is righteous. 
Whoever sins belongs to the Devil,
because the Devil has sinned from the beginning. 
Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the Devil. 
No one who is begotten by God commits sin,
because God's seed remains in him;
he cannot sin because he is begotten by God. 
In this way,
the children of God and the children of the Devil are made plain;
no one who fails to act in righteousness belongs to God,
nor anyone who does not love his brother.

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:1, 7-8, 9

R. (3cd)  All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
Let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy before the LORD.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD comes;
he comes to rule the earth;
He will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Alleluia HEB 1:1-2

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets:
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel JN 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."
So they went and saw where he was staying,
and they stayed with him that day.
It was about four in the afternoon.
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,
was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.
He first found his own brother Simon and told him,
"We have found the Messiah," which is translated Christ.
Then he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said,
"You are Simon the son of John;
you will be called Cephas," which is translated Peter.