THE conversation

Nov 30, 2020

A thought for today’s feast of Andrew the Apostle.

Each of the four gospels offers an account of Jesus calling his first followers. Naturally the details vary a bit in each telling, but the central point is the same: Jesus called, they followed.

While today’s liturgy gospel reading gives Matthew’s version of the calling of Andrew, I prefer John’s account since he provides us with colourful details enticing us to engage our senses that we might personally and actively participate in the event.

Imagine the scene: John the Baptist baptising and preaching alongside the Jordan river, his listeners including a couple of curious young friends who had heard him a few times and were considered to be his disciples. Andrew and John were seekers, full of the restlessness of early adulthood and confident that there must be more to life than fishing.

In the first chapter of his gospel the evangelist John tells of John the Baptist explaining to his hearers that he himself is not the Messiah. The following day John, again surrounded by a crowd, sees Jesus walking and points to him saying, there is the Lamb of God, God’s chosen one, the one who is wanting to remove all stress from your lives.

Another day passes and now it’s just the Baptist with Andrew and John. The Baptist notices Jesus wandering nearby again and points him out to the two friends: Look! There is the Lamb of God!

The two were curious and went off to catch up with Jesus. Jesus turns to them and asks them: “What are you looking for?”

They replied “Where do you live?”

Looking intently at them Jesus replied “come and see.”

Let’s stay with these few words of Jesus today. First the question, Jesus asking not John or Andrew but Jesus asking you… What are YOU looking for?

What will you answer Jesus today? What are you really seeking? What are you longing for?  What is your answer as Jesus asks you right now what are you looking for? 

Then hear Jesus’ invitation, again not to those two all those years ago but to you personally …Jesus is gazing directly at you with love and inviting you to follow, to come and see.

 

You might like to:

  • take Jesus’ question and his invitation as personal mantras for you throughout the day. As you are stopped at the lights, stuck in traffic, bored at work or in turmoil at home or anxious about the day or week ahead hear Jesus ask you “what are you looking for?” Take a minute or two to respond to Jesus. Then hear him speak directly to you inviting you to “come and see”
  • share a comment below offering your own thought or reflection. Many FFF readers comment that they are encouraged by what others share on these pages. Thanks for the great response in comments in recent days providing inspiration for many. It is great to see readers interacting with each others in the comment’s section.
  • send the initials of those you would like FFF readers to remember in prayer to john@fff.org.nz

14 Comments

  1. Forgiveness

    Reply
  2. Amen for Healing of our World and guidance to follow his teachings Amen

    Reply
  3. John, your reflection today is very short, and brings to mind the saying ‘less is more’. I have a busy workday ahead and the ‘come and see’ is going to nag at me all day.

    Reply
  4. Thank you Lord for your wonderful gift of wisdom to Fr. John.. you fill my emptiness, my daily dose. Many came as audience, only few listens.

    Reply
  5. I’m amazed at Andrew’s immediate response! To drop everything, nets, livelihood, family and take off!

    I’m more like Linus (I think it is). I like to follow but clutching my ‘security blanket’ or ‘net’ too!

    Reply
  6. Peace

    Reply
  7. A miracle !

    Reply
  8. Heaven

    Reply
  9. You help me to “come and see”

    Reply
  10. My answer, if Jesus Christ asks me what are you seeking for will be, I am seeking for Eternal Peace, which I know only my Creator can provide.
    God bless you all ❣️

    Reply
  11. Come and see.
    At Gethsemane?
    You die for me
    On a tree.
    Set me free.
    I Hope in Thee.
    MME

    Reply
  12. What are you looking for: “ The straight and narrow path”
    Jesus: Come and see, I’ll show you the way.

    Reply
  13. I sometimes wonder if I am better to not know what I am looking for, but be able to trust that God will show me the way ? Thank you, as always, for these simple but challenging words to reflect upon

    Reply
  14. Each morning apon opening
    My eyes I look’ and listen’,
    to the sounds and sights,
    Of GODS GIFTS”
    In silence, I am in a
    Peacefull awe. Thankyou
    LORD JESUS”
    and Fr John,for enabling me to open my heart to share
    My thoughts

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Posts

so simple

so simple

So simple that children who naturally and naively live with open eyes and ears get it, when we adults too often miss the point.

mountains & roofs

mountains & roofs

. The prevailing sense in the Old Testament was that God lived in the heavens (above). Therefore mountain-tops (where heaven and earth seem to intersect) were a logical place of encounter with the divine. We see this in Moses, the holy Old Testament leader of people,...

opportunity knocks

opportunity knocks

I find it very helpful to hear Jesus speaking directly to me, not as a fearsome threat but as an invitation to not miss the divine presence in the midst of the routines and demands, the ups and downs of my daily life.

the gardener

the gardener

The question surprised me and the look in the young boy’s eyes let me know that he wanted more than a religious-cliche-response. I took a moment to think, pray, and think again and was surprised at the answer that came to me.

in the field

in the field

Such wise people have reflected on their life experience enough to know that while a peaceful and perfect day is welcome, we are most connected with others and therefore with God (we could also say most connected with God and therefore with others), when we live a struggle together.