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 Jesus 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.

(Jn 1:35-42)

Sunday Spiritual Excursion

We pause today from our retreat, and direct our attention to the gospel at Mass. It is a beautiful gospel that speaks about vocation. We know that God calls us; there is a Caller. There is a relationship between the One who calls and the one being called. God calls, we listen; God calls we respond.

Let us imagine ourselves, walking towards the Lord. We have been told that He is the Lamb of God – the One we have been waiting for to save us. Are we going to listen to John the Baptist’s words? Of course we will! We run towards the Lord, we run after Him to catch Him. He turns to us, in seeing us, and in looking into our hearts, He asks: What are you looking for? 

What are you looking for? If you are given the chance to encounter the Lord today, and hear His voice asking you: What are you looking for? How would you respond? At this point of my spiritual journey, what am I looking for? The question of the Lord today in the gospel reading is important; because what I seek today with all my heart will define my plans and actions tomorrow – what I seek today with all my heart will determine who I will become in the years ahead. What are you looking for? – the Lord asks.

Lord, today, I just want to get through this crisis. We are hoping that all might get the vaccine! And I just want everything to get back to normal – not the frenetic, directionless normal, but the normal that you have been trying to show me. Before, I might have taken for granted so many things that you have given me; now, in spite of this present crisis, I realize the gifts that I have: life, health, talents, family, friends – connections & communion. 

What am I looking for – you ask me today… Well, I look around and there is so much confusion, so many questions; people I love, people I consider my friends – they are being played and made to believe so many things by so many personalities (and the Media, on top of that). Sometimes, I feet that there is really no more independent thinkers among us anymore; only puppets of a particular belief system. Our society is driven by personalities – not any of them believe in you. Our society is made up of two opposing sides, and we are pulled on both sides. What am I looking for? I am looking for harmony, I am looking for peace; I am looking for people who would have the courage to stop imposing their beliefs on us, to stop their nonsense and bickering – I am looking for people who are willing to listen to you; I am looking for people who have the courage and humility to pray – to look to you. I am looking for people who really know you, and really follow you. I am looking for people who are not as stuck as I am with myself, and my political views, and my beliefs – a person who could see things independently, lovingly. There has got to be more than life than just winning, and being right all the time. I am looking for a Person. I am looking for you… It is you I seek, hide not your light. 

What are we looking for? When the Lord asks us this question, what is our answer today. More importantly, when the Lord asks you this question today – what are you looking for – what is that you hear that he is inviting you into? Come and see.