Readings
1 John 3:7-10
John 1:35-42
Reflection
Today, the Gospel places us in the company of John the Baptist and his disciples. Picture the scene: John stands among his followers, his eyes fixed on Jesus as He walks by. With a voice full of awe and recognition, John declares, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” At these words, two of his disciples, drawn by something they cannot yet name, leave John and begin to follow Jesus. Jesus notices them trailing behind and asks, “What are you looking for?” A profound question, simple yet piercing. But the disciples, perhaps uncertain or overwhelmed, do not answer directly. Instead, they respond with their own question: “Rabbi, where are you staying?” And Jesus, with an openness that defines His ministry, says, “Come and see.”
This invitation from Jesus is not just for those disciples—it is for us. Today, He turns to each of us and asks, “What are you looking for?” Take a moment to let that question settle in your heart. What are you truly seeking at this time in your life? We live in a world that often dictates what we should desire. More wealth, more recognition, more influence—the list goes on. These things are not inherently bad, but do they satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts? Or are they distractions from what we truly need—peace, hope, joy, love, and meaning?
Jesus’ question is not one of interrogation but of invitation. He wants to draw us closer, to understand us, and to meet us where we are. He invites us to reflect deeply on our desires because our longings when rightly understood, can lead us to Him. And when the disciples ask Him, “Where are you staying?” they are not just asking about His physical location. They are expressing a deeper desire to know Him, to spend time with Him, to learn from Him. And Jesus’ response—“Come and see”—is not just a direction; it is a promise. It is a promise that if we come to Him with open hearts, we will find what we are truly seeking.
Today, Jesus extends the same invitation to us. Whatever you are seeking—whether it is clarity in a time of confusion, strength in a moment of weakness, or hope in the face of despair—Jesus invites you to “come and see.” To follow Him is not to have all the answers immediately but to embark on a journey where we discover that He Himself is the answer to our deepest questions and desires.
As we reflect on this Gospel, let us take time to sit with Jesus’ question: “What are you looking for?” And let us have the courage to respond honestly. Perhaps our answer, like the disciples’, is not yet fully formed. That’s okay. Jesus meets us in our uncertainty, in our searching, and gently calls us forward. Let us trust in His invitation to “come and see.” May we follow Him with open hearts, confident that in Him we will find not only what we are looking for but so much more than we could ever imagine.
Giltus Mathias CP, Parish Priest, St Brigid, Marrickville.