“What are you looking for?” This is a pivotal question in the reading taken from the Gospel of John for the second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Knowing what we are looking for determines where we look and what it is worth to us to even bother looking. After all, you would not look in a lake for an owl or in a violent demonstration for an experience of peace.
So, what are you looking for? Peace, balance, wholeness, holiness, resilience, meaning, a sense of purpose or direction, security, a relationship that makes a difference? All of the above are byproducts of a relationship that makes a difference, of the relationship that makes the greatest and most fundamental difference in our lives.
For the past year and a half, you have been hearing us speak of the importance of developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This cannot be emphasized too much. Faith grows and deepens in the fertile environment of a deep and abiding friendship with God. Belief, hope, trust, and love spread their roots into every facet of our lives when we come to know God through frequent and persistent prayer.
It is important to recall that relationship requires two people to be open to the gift of connection, the union and the development of bonds between them. In this we are extremely blessed, because God loved us first and will continue to love us no matter what. Spurred on by the awareness that we are truly loved by God, it becomes easier to trust our desire to come to know, love, and imitate Christ and to recognize God’s activity in our lives.
How might you do this? Take time at the end of each day to reflect on that day. When did you experience a moment of delight, of unexpected peace, of long-awaited insight into how to deal with a problem? Consider the source of the delight, peace, or insight. Did you create those feelings or awarenesses? More often than not, you will find yourself acknowledging that they are pure gifts and so conclude they came from God. In such a moment of awareness, a prayer of thanksgiving is an appropriate response.
Reading and reflecting on the Gospels is critical to coming to know Christ better and to know what Christ asks of you. The scriptures for the Second Sunday in Ordinary time are rich for our consideration. In them, we hear: “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” “Behold.” “What are you looking for?” “Where are you staying?” “Come and see.” Each of these words or phrases invites us to consider their meaning for us at this moment in time. For instance: What is God wanting to say to you? What does God want you to behold; not just see, but behold? When we hear Jesus invite us to come and see, what exactly is he holding up for us to notice?
So, after all is said and done, “What are you looking for?” Are you looking for the relationship that makes the greatest and most fundamental difference in your life? Christ has been looking for that relationship with you from the start. He awaits your next step. Are you ready to take it? You will not regret it. Come and see.
~Sr. Kathleen
Take Your Next Step: Spend a few minutes at the end of each day this week asking God to open your eyes and heart to the ways in which God was present and active in your life that day. Tell God about your desire to know God more fully and to love God more deeply.
So, what are you looking for? Peace, balance, wholeness, holiness, resilience, meaning, a sense of purpose or direction, security, a relationship that makes a difference? All of the above are byproducts of a relationship that makes a difference, of the relationship that makes the greatest and most fundamental difference in our lives.
For the past year and a half, you have been hearing us speak of the importance of developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This cannot be emphasized too much. Faith grows and deepens in the fertile environment of a deep and abiding friendship with God. Belief, hope, trust, and love spread their roots into every facet of our lives when we come to know God through frequent and persistent prayer.
It is important to recall that relationship requires two people to be open to the gift of connection, the union and the development of bonds between them. In this we are extremely blessed, because God loved us first and will continue to love us no matter what. Spurred on by the awareness that we are truly loved by God, it becomes easier to trust our desire to come to know, love, and imitate Christ and to recognize God’s activity in our lives.
How might you do this? Take time at the end of each day to reflect on that day. When did you experience a moment of delight, of unexpected peace, of long-awaited insight into how to deal with a problem? Consider the source of the delight, peace, or insight. Did you create those feelings or awarenesses? More often than not, you will find yourself acknowledging that they are pure gifts and so conclude they came from God. In such a moment of awareness, a prayer of thanksgiving is an appropriate response.
Reading and reflecting on the Gospels is critical to coming to know Christ better and to know what Christ asks of you. The scriptures for the Second Sunday in Ordinary time are rich for our consideration. In them, we hear: “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” “Behold.” “What are you looking for?” “Where are you staying?” “Come and see.” Each of these words or phrases invites us to consider their meaning for us at this moment in time. For instance: What is God wanting to say to you? What does God want you to behold; not just see, but behold? When we hear Jesus invite us to come and see, what exactly is he holding up for us to notice?
So, after all is said and done, “What are you looking for?” Are you looking for the relationship that makes the greatest and most fundamental difference in your life? Christ has been looking for that relationship with you from the start. He awaits your next step. Are you ready to take it? You will not regret it. Come and see.
~Sr. Kathleen
Take Your Next Step: Spend a few minutes at the end of each day this week asking God to open your eyes and heart to the ways in which God was present and active in your life that day. Tell God about your desire to know God more fully and to love God more deeply.
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