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Deacon Tom writes ©
What Are We Looking For?
Today, through the words of Sacred Scripture, we are
witnesses to Jesus’ baptism by John and the beginning of his public ministry. Some
of John’s disciples, prompted perhaps by John’s identification of Jesus as the
“Lamb
of God”, leave John to become followers of Jesus. When Jesus notices
them he wastes no time in confronting them about their motives asking, “What
are you looking for?” What
a great question for us to reflect upon as we continue our faith journey in
these new and challenging times.
The disciples did not hesitate in their response. They
wanted to know where Jesus was staying. Simple enough isn’t it? At least on the surface that is. How do
we respond to the question raised in the gospel today? What are we looking for?
I believe we all have the natural tendency to pursue
those things that we desire most in life, those things that we believe will
give us the greatest amount of happiness and joy. We want the good things this
life has to offer… material success and good fortune, a prestigious career, the
praise and adulation of others, good families and friends, ad infinitum. But,
as we may have experienced so often in the past, once we have what we desire, the
happiness that we imagined is seldom realized or, at best, is brief and fleeting.
Soon disillusionment follows and we begin the chase all over again!
Does that mean we are never to achieve true happiness
in this life? Not at all! In today’s
Gospel Jesus, “the teacher”, gives us some practical advice on how to find and
maintain a spirit of true AND lasting happiness in this life. He invites
us to
join him as he begins his public ministry, to “Come and…see” the
marvelous things he has in store for those who tag along with him as he
preaches the gospel, the Good-News of the dawning of the reign
of God. In the Gospels Jesus teaches us that it is by deepening our personal
relationship with him that we “Come and see” that only he can
satisfy the innermost longings of our hearts. It is only through Christ that we
can experience healthy and mutually beneficial relationships have a sense of
well being, be satisfied with who we are and what we have and to thus be filled
with a joy and a peace that the world cannot give.
As we begin this New Year, may we respond to Our Lord’s
invitation to “Come and see” as did Samuel,
James and John, Peter and the first disciples so that, like them, we too may
discover the truth that, above all else, Jesus is our hearts greatest
desire.
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
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