“What are you looking for?” – John 1:38

         You have been following Jesus. Attending prayer meetings. Finding ways to serve Him. Reading your Bible every day. Attending First Friday Masses.

         But today He is asking you, “What are you looking for?” (John 1:38).

         Peace? Prosperity? Passionate work?

         Tell Him. Ask Him your craziest questions. Talk to Him today about what’s been bothering you. Don’t be afraid. It’s Jesus. Look into His eyes and you will see that He’s crazy about you. Listen to Him.

         “Come, and you will see” (John 1:39).

         After listening, go! Do as He tells you. Let Him bring you where He wants to. And stay with Him. Even if it means the “whole day,” which may translate to giving up an old unhealthy belief or habit, a job, a relationship. Don’t think of it as sacrifice. See it for what it is — a divine privilege. The transformation of your life — from mediocrity to magnificence!

Reflection:Have you felt disappointed by God before? Today, He wants you to know, He has always been listening. This time, He wants you to listen, to come with Him, so you can see.

Jesus, I have a question…

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious, pray for us.

John differentiates love from sin in today’s reading. Sometimes we need to see the extremes presented to us so that we realize the significance of the choices we make. This can help us to live a righteous and holy life and overcome the injustices in the world.

7 Children, let no one deceive you. The person who acts in righteousness is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 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. 9 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. 10 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.

R: All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

1 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) 7 Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it; 8 let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy before the Lord. (R) 9 The Lord comes, he comes to rule the earth. He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with equity. (R)

In the Bible, a person with an important role in salvation history is given a new name by God. The name Peter (meaning “rock”) defines his role in building the Church. Today, Peter’s role continues with the Pope – a role that unifies the Church. As Peter led the Apostles, the Pope leads the Bishops and the faithful. The papacy is the source of unity and true doctrine upon which the Church stands firm.

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

35 John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” 37 The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. 38 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?” 39 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. 40 Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ. 42 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.

Read the Bible in one year  John 10-12

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

Today, we read about the first disciples of Jesus and the circumstances of their meeting. True to his role as forerunner of the Lord, John the Baptist pointed Jesus to His future disciples as he shouted, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Immediately, two disciples began following Jesus. Noticing them, Jesus turned around and asked, “What is it you want?”

       Notice their response. They did not ask, “What are You reading?” They did not inquire, “Under what master did You train?” They did not demand, “What school of prophets did You frequent?” Their interest was, “Where do You stay?” (v. 37). The former questions are questions of pedigree. The latter was a question of person.

     Friend, “where do you stay?” And I’m not talking here of geographical location. I’m talking of that which truly captures your heart, stimulates your interest, enkindles your passion and springs you into action. In short, that which makes you feel truly alive. For where you are truly alive, you are always at home.

       Have you found your home? Jesus knows the way. Give Him your hand and follow Him, just as He said to His disciples: “Come and see.” Fr. Joel Jason

----------- REFLECTION QUESTION ----------

Have you found your home? Where is it?