As we begin Holy Week, I am reminded of the gospel of John 1:35-42 when we hear Jesus ask the two who were following him, “What are you looking for?” It’s a question he is asking each and every one of us right now.
Sometimes our answer is a practical one. What are you looking for? I can’t find my cell phone anywhere and I’m lost without it. If you pray to him, Jesus may indeed, help you find your phone. But if we only pray for convenient solutions to life’s trials, we may realize at some point that this is probably not the answer Jesus has in mind. So at some point he will ask again, “Really, what are you looking for?”
Other times our answer might be more serious and complex. I recall speaking with a young woman downtown who, asked for my name and wrote it on a piece of paper she had in her hand. She said she wanted it so she could pray for me that evening. Then she began to tremble, broke down in tears and said she was just trying to get her life back together. Maybe times are a little tough right now. Maybe something catastrophic has happened and left you feeling as if your life is falling apart around you, and you’re holding on by a thread, trying to get your life back together. You can trust that Jesus will help, but even then, we will hear Jesus ask again. “Now, what are you looking for?”
Sometimes our answer to Jesus question is an honest, “I don’t know. I don’t know what I am looking for in life, and I really don’t care. I’ve got time. I’m just going to enjoy myself and I’ll worry about that later.” The longer we stay in this place, the more uncomfortable we get. We’re just wandering, going through the motions of life with no real direction or purpose. We will hear again, “What are you looking for?” This time we can’t brush it off. We really want to be able to answer the question.
What we are really looking for in life can’t be found “out there.” External things are important, even critical to our survival, but they won’t leave us feeling fulfilled and happy. There is still something more.
Recently a friend of mine told me that, “Just to know somebody cares means everything.” This is a clue to what we’re looking for and it’s deep inside us. As human beings, we want to be noticed, to know that someone thinks we are important and significant, to be loved just as we are, as God made us.
Where can we find this? We find what we’re looking for when, continuing in this Gospel passage, we accept Jesus’ invitation to “Come and see.” By accepting that invitation and following him with him, He shows us what we are really looking for. It may be different for each of us but fundamentally, we are all looking for the deepest happiness, meaning, and peace that this life can offer.
When our spirits have been awakened through our relationship with Jesus, is when we realize our greatest purpose in life. Once we have found that purpose, it’s our turn to invite those we know and love to “Come and See.” It’s our turn to journey with them to deep happiness, meaning, and peace. To accompany them into a loving relationship with Jesus.
When Jesus laid on that cross, he thought about you. He allowed that first nail to pierce his hand because of how important you are to him. The second because of how much he cares about you. The third because you matter to him. And then he hung there so you will always be reminded of how much you are loved.
Jesus gave his life for you. Today he comes to us, alive, for that relationship. To give you what you are looking for. To show you how much you are loved.
Until next time, many blessings,
Deacon Ken