1/4/2023 (Wednesday) Today’s gospel reading: John 1:35-42

35 John was standing with two of his disciples,
36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.”
37 The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.
38 Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?”
39 He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon.
40 Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.
41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ.
42 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 Peter.

1/4/2023 (Wednesday) Today’s gospel reflection: John 1:35-42

What are you looking for? (verse 38). Jesus asked this question to Andrew and his companion. Then, He invited them to “come and see”.

The simple question and the subsequent invitation of Jesus is a fitting topic for reflection in the light of the new year. Many of us may still be at a crossroad and the future is unclear. Some of us may still be undergoing some kinds of pain or crisis and do not know what to do. What are you looking for?

Every new year, some of us make resolutions or plans and promises to fulfill. Perhaps, we are too focused on our material or financial goals. If so, it would be an opportune time to really consider or reconsider the question of Jesus. What are we looking for?

In the gospel reading above, Andrew and his companion accepted the invitation of Jesus to “come and see”. They liked what they saw because they stayed with him for that day and the rest of the gospel tell us that Andrew went to tell his brother Simon about what his experience. Simon too went to see Jesus and Jesus called him Cephas (Peter). This means there is something in Jesus that transforms those who encounter Him.

“Come and see.” This is the invitation of Jesus to all of us. We are all invited to include Him in our resolutions, in our plans and in our life. The gospel gives us the hope and the guarantee that in Him, we will be seeing what we are looking for.