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