what we have heard,
what we have seen with our eyes,
what we looked upon
and touched with our hands
concerns the Word of life....
One does not read the Gospel according to Saint John; one enters the mind of God as into a cathedral. This work of genius challenges everyone who approaches it; even a sentence or verse appears like an opening to incomprehensible beauty. We've seen "John 3:16" posted on bumper stickers and placards as if everyone knows what it means. But if we were to consider the verse we'd have to stop, pull off the highway, turn off the television; and sit, wonder, and wait for an unknown signal to resume our lives.
Today, I am thinking of two signal verses in the Gospel. When two of the Baptist's disciples followed Jesus, he turned and asked them, “What are you looking for?” It's a simple question really, but... “What are you looking for?”
The two hardly knew what to say and replied, "Rabbi, where are you staying?" It's not an answer to his question. Where Jesus lives might express no more than a passing curiosity, like Pontius Pilate's, "Where are you from?" Does it really matter whether a condemned man is from Galilee, Nazareth, or Bethlehem?
But everyone who reads or hears the Gospel must answer for themselves, "What are you looking for?"
Is what you're doing satisfying? Is it helpful or meaningful? Are you planning forever or for nothing? What do you expect from your life?
When the disciples reply, "Where do you stay?" they might be asking for anything. I knew a man, afflicted with dementia, who knew the state of Minnesota like the back of his hand. Whenever a person's name came up, he'd ask, "Where is he from?" Sometimes I was only referring to a telephone call or an email and I would reply, "The Internet." It was an idle question and an equally idle answer.
Where is Jesus from? The disciples want to know; Pilate hopes he is only from Galilee.
And Jesus replied to John's disciples, "Come and you will see." An invitation into the mind of God.
Later in the gospel, Jesus turns again to the disciples and asks another question, “Do you also want to leave?”
Saint Peter replied for you and me,
“Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
The disciples of John had asked, "Where do you stay?" but they had not stayed anywhere. They were always on the road from the Jordan River through Cana, Capernaum, and Samaria to Jerusalem and Calvary. They stayed only with Jesus.
As 2022 breaks upon us, with its hope for an end of Covid, and its longing for relief, mercy, justice, and a peaceful climate the faithful answer the Lord with their feet. We go as he leads us.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.