1 Samuel 3: 3b-10, 19; 1 Corinthians 6: 13c-15a, 17-20; John 1: 35-42
Have you been paying attention? How astute a listener are you? So, let me ask you a question: When was the last time we heard the voice of Jesus in our Sunday Gospels? When was the last time we heard him speak? Well, believe it or not, we would have to go all the way back to November 29th, the First Sunday of Advent, for the answer to that question. Certainly, Jesus has been and is always the focal point of the Gospels. And over the past month and a half, we’ve focused on the preaching of John the Baptist and how he prepared the people for Jesus’ coming. We’ve heard the stories surrounding Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem . . . the announcement of his birth to the shepherds by an angel, the adoration of the Magi and the gifts they presented, his circumcision, naming and presentation in the Temple, and last week, his baptism in the Jordan by John the Baptist. But all through the past seven weeks, the voice of Jesus has been silent.
So, the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel are significant. Not only do they represent the first time in a month and a half that we’ve heard the voice of Jesus speak to us, but even more importantly, what we heard in today’s gospel are the very first words of Jesus found in John’s Gospel. And adding to that significance, they are the first words that Jesus speaks to us in our new year of 2021.
First words can be important and memorable. I bet those of you who are married can recall the first words you said to the one who would ultimately become your spouse or the first words that he or she said to you. Those of you who are parents, I bet you can recall the first words that your child said, whether it be “Mama,” “Dada,” “yes” or “no.” And the first words of a politician when he throws his hat in the ring to launch his campaign, or the words of his inaugural address, become the words that set the tone and are the words on which he will be judged throughout his term in office.
“What are you looking for?” Those are the first words that the evangelist John records of Jesus. Words, that on the surface might seem insignificant, perhaps strange, maybe even rude or abrupt. They come as the result of two of the disciples of John the Baptist following Jesus after John says of Jesus, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Their response to Jesus’ question seems even more strange, and certainly not very profound: “Rabbi, where are you staying?” To which Jesus invites them, “Come and you will see.”
At face value, a very strange dialogue. But, as with most things in the Gospels, I don’t think we’re just meant to take it on face value. We’re encouraged to, not only delve deeper, but to place ourselves into the Gospel and hear Jesus’ words, not just directed to Andrew and his companion, but also to us.
And so, today, January 17th, as we begin the third week of our New Year, Jesus asks you and he asks me, “What are you looking for?’
- Lord, someone I love so much has just died. I’m so heartbroken. My life is filled with grief. I’m looking for consolation. Rabbi, where do you stay?
- Lord, I’m ill . . . I’m tired . . . I live in pain. I’m looking for health. Rabbi, where do you stay?
- Lord, I lost my job. My unemployment insurance has run out. It’s been months, years, since I received a paycheck. I’m looking for a way to make ends meet. Rabbi, where do you stay?
- Lord, my parents are splitting up. I'm hurting. I’m looking for the strength to deal with this calmly and not with anger. Rabbi, where do you stay?
- Lord, I’m dealing with an addiction that I just can’t seem to break. I’m looking for help. Rabbi, where do you stay?
- Lord, I'm different. No one seems to get me. I just don't seem to fit in. I’m looking for acceptance. Rabbi, where do you stay?
- Lord, I’m so depressed that sometimes I don’t know how I’m going to get out of bed in the morning, and sometimes feel like ending it all. I’m looking for hope. Rabbi, where do you stay?
- Lord, my problems and the pressures of life are so overwhelming me, I just can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m looking for peace. Rabbi, where do you stay?
- Lord, there is so much anger, turmoil and division in my house, a place where there used to be love and harmony. I’m looking for wisdom to say and do the right thing to transform my house back into a home. Rabbi, where do you stay?
- Lord, I’m tired of living in fear. Tired of living life behind a mask and at a safe social distance from family, and friends and strangers. I’m looking for patience. Rabbi, where do you stay?
- Lord, I’m upset about the political divisions in our country which seem to tear at the very fabric of our flag. I’m looking for reconciliation. Rabbi, where do you stay?
- Lord, I cry out to you day and night. I pray and pray and pray. Yet you seem so distant, so very far from me. I’m looking for YOU. Rabbi, where do you stay?
And Jesus replies to us, “Come and you will see.”
- Come and you will see me in the words of Sacred Scripture. I am the Word made Flesh. I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. I have the words of everlasting life.
- Come and you will see me in prayer. In your prayer LISTEN. If all you do is talk, all you will discover is yourself. If you listen, you will find ME. If you listen to me as the small, still voice within, you will be given wisdom, knowledge and understanding, fortitude and counsel, reverence and piety.
- Come and you will see me in the Eucharist. I am the Bread of Life, the Cup of Eternal Salvation. I will nourish you. I will fill you. I will satisfy you.
- Come and you will see me in the teachings of the Church. Don’t forget the promise I gave you, “I will be with you always, yes, even to the end of the age.” The Church is my Body, my presence, in the world today. Look to her in your confusion for wisdom and guidance.
- Come and you will see me here, in this sacred space. Seek me, not in the din of the world but in the peace and silence you find here. “Be still and know that I am God.” “Come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest.” Speak no words. Just cherish the intimacy of my presence.
- Come and you will see me in the heart of your neighbor. “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in the midst of them.” Seek me, too, in the hungry and the thirsty, in the stranger and the naked, in the sick and the prisoner. For in them you will find me.
- Come and you will see me in yourself. If you strive to become poor in spirit, to mourn and be meek, if you desire righteousness and purity of heart, if you are a peacemaker or are persecuted for me or the sake of the Gospel, you are one with me.
All of these is where I stay. Come and you will see.
“What are you looking for?” Jesus asked Andrew. “What are you looking for?” He asks you. “What are you looking for?” He asks me. No matter who or what you’re desiring at this time in your life, there is no one and nothing that will satisfy you like your relationship with Christ. Everything we need is ready and waiting for us in Jesus Christ – love, faith, wisdom, grace, patience, joy, peace, understanding, and all the other unsearchable riches He holds. In Jesus, we have everything we need right now for perfect happiness and fulfillment. So live as if every day is the best day of your life – because in Christ – it is!
