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Greetings, SBT Readers:
The new year is in its infancy and yet there is little good news anywhere in the world. We have just celebrated the birth of the Prince of Peace, but there is no peace, either at home or abroad; here, in the United States, we are about to observe the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but despite everything he lived and died for, hatred of the "differing other" is on the rise, with deadly outcomes for members of targeted groups. Add to the mix extreme weather conditions, "political anxiety," several wars, retaliatory military actions, nuclear threats, the horrific conditions faced by migrants, as well as countless scandals and tragedies, and we have a toxic cloud weighing down on our consciousness.
This cloud threatens our peace of mind, our physical and emotional wellbeing and even our belief in the future. We may not be able to see it, but we can feel it, not only in ourselves but also in those around us. It is an all-pervasive kind of cloud, one which creates apathy, fear and despair; left to its own devices, this cloud will plunge us into darkness, whether individually or collectively.
This is why active resistance is called for: we need to remember that "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light" (Is 9:2); setting our eyes on the Christ-Light, may we choose to protect the Light within so that our Light can shine in the darkness.
Many Blessings!
Elizabeth
SUNDAY REFLECTION
Link to Readings
John was standing with two of his disciples,
and, seeing Jesus walk by, he said,
"Behold, the Lamb of God."
The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.
Jesus turned and seeing them following him, he asked,
"What are you looking for?" They replied, "Rabbi" —
which translated means Teacher —, "where are you staying?"
He answered, "Come, and you will see."
So they went and saw where Jesus was staying,
and stayed with him that day. It was about four in the
afternoon. Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who had heard what John said and followed Jesus. He first found his brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah" — which is translated as "Christ" —. Then he
brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said,
"You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas" — which is translated as "Peter."
Jn 1:35-42
All it takes is a couple of words from John the Baptist, and off go
two of his disciples without so much as a "Goodbye" or "Thank you"-- at least, if there are any parting words, John's gospel does not record them. Andrew and his companion leave immediately, but an examination of the text shows that their departure is not a reaction to these words alone. In fact, John the Baptist has been building expectations -- first, by testifying that he himself is not the Messiah (Jn 1:19-27); then, the following day, by pointing out Jesus to those around him and testifying that he is the Son of God (Jn 1:29-34); and then, the day after that, upon seeing Jesus again, by repeating his words from the day before-- "Behold the Lamb of God" (Jn 1:35-36).
In effect, John pushes his disciples away simply by inviting them to "behold" -- to see, not just with physical sight but with with spiritual seeing. And whatever they see draws the two disciples away from John and towards Jesus. Because they "hear" John's words not just with their ears but with their hearts, they cannot resist. It is as though they are mesmerized, spellbound, enthralled-- ready to follow Jesus because they have caught a glimpse of his glory. And when their new Rabbi asks them, "What are you looking for?" their answer basically amounts to "We want to be with you; we want to learn more about you."
Perhaps the first step in Christian discipleship is beholding -- that is, in seeing beyond conventional faith, beyond inherited faith, beyond what others see, to what we ourselves see. When our faith is based only upon habit or upon others' testimony, then it is shallow at best. Though we may ace catechism answers, recite memorized prayers, quote scripture, read devotionals, attend spiritually-enriching programs and volunteer for worthy causes, if we haven't experienced beholding, then we cannot really claim to be disciples. We may do what is expected of us, even going beyond it, but unless we explore where Jesus is staying and answer the question, "What are you looking for?" we are not fully committed to "The Way."
Discipleship not only involves following someone -- in this case, Jesus-- but also imitating that person within the context of our own unique lives. For Christians, this imitation means that we become Christ for others, living by his values and treating others as he would have treated them. Without "beholding" him or "staying with him," however, we cannot claim to know him-- at least, not intimately; instead, we merely know about him, our impression of him being based on such sources as homilies, artistic representations, and scripture commentaries, all of which were shaped by someone else's beholding (or lack of beholding!)
Jesus sees those he calls. He knows each of us by name, along with our gifts, liabilities and histories, our struggles, triumphs, and desires. Are we ready to behold him? Do we dare share with him the deepest longings of our hearts? What is it we are really looking for?
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