In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus asks, “What are you looking for?” (John 1:38)
My first thought is, that’s a good question. In the daily meditation from Blessed is She (site found here) Mary Catherine Craige referred to this question to focus on our need for clarity …the whole “how will I find it if I don’t know what it is?” argument. I agree with her in that way. It is necessary to answer this question for ourselves so we can focus on the important things in life.
At the same time, as I began writing in my prayer journal, another purpose for this question occurred to me. I think I can use this question as a simple examination of conscience. What am I looking for? If the answer isn’t that I’m looking for Jesus, I’m off track, but how can I apply this to my everyday life?
Right now I’m thinking I can use it in any situation. When I’m deciding how to frame a discussion with someone, I should consider the impact of my words. Will my arguments or advice help me and the other(s) in the conversation to find Jesus? If not, I really need to re-think my approach.
One of the most important documents from Vatican II, The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium) highlights our special ability to take the good news into the common everyday places of life, in ways that priests and consecrated religious people cannot. Because we “live in the world, that is, in each and in all of the secular professions and occupations… (and the) ordinary circumstances of family and social life, …(we) may work for the sanctification of the world from within as a leaven.” (LG 31)
So the question Jesus asked in today’s Gospel, “What are you looking for?” serves as a call for all of us to always look for Him, and for ways to bring Him to everyone we meet. Let’s take special care this week to be sure that our words and actions communicate God’s love to the world!