We begin Week # 2 of our Message Series "Defining Moments" and the Lord's Day Gospel today is surely one of those for John the Baptist, Andrew, and the other disciples of Jesus. They have an encounter which would change the trajectory of their lives. Let's look for a minute at each of these character and their unique Defining Moment.
Imagine the thousands of followers John the Baptist might have if he was on social media or YouTube today. He was quite a sensation in his time, fascinating followers and critics alike with his powerful message and authentic way of life. Some of his followers may even have tried to imitate him by wearing camel hair and eating locusts and honey. Clearly, though, the people of his time followed him into the desert because they longed for something more in their lives, perhaps like many do today who follow celebrities and lifestyle gurus on YouTube or Twitter. Yet, John the Baptist does not tell his followers what to eat, what to wear, or how to live, but rather, he directs their attention to Jesus. He tells them to “Behold the Lamb of God.”
Behold – an archaic word for us today that means “to look intently, to see fully.” John tells his followers if you want to be like me, then look closely at this man here, Jesus, this man of gentle service to others, the source of all I teach and am. And as the disciples turn to follow Jesus, their lives are changed overnight. They behold Jesus and become beholden, bound with all their hearts and energy to following Him. They accepted Jesus invitation to Come and See.
What did Andrew and the other disciple experience in that encounter with Jesus that afternoon? Did they share a meal, perhaps some stories or some Scripture, and some teaching? Surely there must have been laughter...there must have been communion and understanding. Whatever it was, these first disciples’ response was full and complete. They found what they were looking for and they could not walk away. Their first response is to bring to Jesus those they love, those they know who were also longing for love and connection.
Our lives, too, can be changed and charged with love, power and purpose if we behold Jesus. He asks the disciples, “What are you looking for?” What is it we long for in our lives if not love and connection? We are promised all this when we respond, as Samuel responds in the first reading, “Speak, Lord I am listening.” When we give a little part of our day to encountering Jesus, whether it be in prayer, in reading the gospels, or attending Mass, we, too, will find all that we long for. We also encounter Jesus in the eyes of our sisters and brothers when we serve in love. When we give ourselves to reconciliation and compassion rather than division and rigidity, we behold Jesus. When we give ourselves to serving the least among us, we behold Jesus.
We learned this Lord’s Day that Defining Moments are orchestrated by God as occasions brimming with definition and clarity to our life - which before we did not have. They are Moments of Decision - saying Yes. They are Moments of Definition - knowing the way. They are Moments of Determination - deciding to keep at it. Defining moments are significant and they set a course, a tone, a pattern for the way forward. Defining Moments can be encouraging, Defining Moments can be engaging, but Defining Moments can also be elevating as they draw us ever closer to the plan of God for us.
But Defining moments also have a certain nature to them - We are never called for our own sake, but for the sake of others. Defining Moments come into our life - not solely to affect us! God does not invite us closer to Him simply for ourselves - but as part of His plan that all of us would be united to Him
Defining Moments also have the danger of containing a certain nonsense to them. To be called does not require perfection on our behalf, only fidelity and holy listening. Samuel and the prophets of Israel, the fishermen of Galilee and even the tax collectors that Jesus called were certainly not called because of their qualifications or achievements. God has called us, loved us, changed us and made us into His image, not because we already are, but because we are imperfect and He wishes to make us His. Since God has called us, we have no choice but to call others to follow Him, out of that same sense of love for them.
What needs to be put into your life so that you are ready to come and see?
Maybe join me in my simple prayer this week
See you Sunday!
Imagine the thousands of followers John the Baptist might have if he was on social media or YouTube today. He was quite a sensation in his time, fascinating followers and critics alike with his powerful message and authentic way of life. Some of his followers may even have tried to imitate him by wearing camel hair and eating locusts and honey. Clearly, though, the people of his time followed him into the desert because they longed for something more in their lives, perhaps like many do today who follow celebrities and lifestyle gurus on YouTube or Twitter. Yet, John the Baptist does not tell his followers what to eat, what to wear, or how to live, but rather, he directs their attention to Jesus. He tells them to “Behold the Lamb of God.”
What did Andrew and the other disciple experience in that encounter with Jesus that afternoon? Did they share a meal, perhaps some stories or some Scripture, and some teaching? Surely there must have been laughter...there must have been communion and understanding. Whatever it was, these first disciples’ response was full and complete. They found what they were looking for and they could not walk away. Their first response is to bring to Jesus those they love, those they know who were also longing for love and connection.
Our lives, too, can be changed and charged with love, power and purpose if we behold Jesus. He asks the disciples, “What are you looking for?” What is it we long for in our lives if not love and connection? We are promised all this when we respond, as Samuel responds in the first reading, “Speak, Lord I am listening.” When we give a little part of our day to encountering Jesus, whether it be in prayer, in reading the gospels, or attending Mass, we, too, will find all that we long for. We also encounter Jesus in the eyes of our sisters and brothers when we serve in love. When we give ourselves to reconciliation and compassion rather than division and rigidity, we behold Jesus. When we give ourselves to serving the least among us, we behold Jesus.We learned this Lord’s Day that Defining Moments are orchestrated by God as occasions brimming with definition and clarity to our life - which before we did not have. They are Moments of Decision - saying Yes. They are Moments of Definition - knowing the way. They are Moments of Determination - deciding to keep at it. Defining moments are significant and they set a course, a tone, a pattern for the way forward. Defining Moments can be encouraging, Defining Moments can be engaging, but Defining Moments can also be elevating as they draw us ever closer to the plan of God for us.
But Defining moments also have a certain nature to them - We are never called for our own sake, but for the sake of others. Defining Moments come into our life - not solely to affect us! God does not invite us closer to Him simply for ourselves - but as part of His plan that all of us would be united to Him
Defining Moments also have the danger of containing a certain nonsense to them. To be called does not require perfection on our behalf, only fidelity and holy listening. Samuel and the prophets of Israel, the fishermen of Galilee and even the tax collectors that Jesus called were certainly not called because of their qualifications or achievements. God has called us, loved us, changed us and made us into His image, not because we already are, but because we are imperfect and He wishes to make us His. Since God has called us, we have no choice but to call others to follow Him, out of that same sense of love for them.
What needs to be put into your life so that you are ready to come and see?
Maybe join me in my simple prayer this week
Jesus I am looking for you
Jesus I want to see where you live
Jesus I want to come and see every day
See you Sunday!