“Listening to the Lord, and being His true seeker, with the right motives and proper intentions!”
(Based on 1 Sam 3:3b-10, 19, 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20 and Jn 1:35-42 – 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B)
A simple and commonly known story goes such…
A generous and a noble King once made a grand announcement to his subjects.
He declared that on a particular day, all the people could come into the King’s palace, and take for themselves from the palace hall, whatever they wished for!
An amazing and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity indeed!
And so the day came… hundreds and thousands had gathered in the palace.
The people waited for the King’s signal to start picking up whatever they wanted in that hall.
The moment arrived… the King waved his royal hand to begin…
It was time to lay hands on whatever they wished to make their own possession.
The rush was maddening…
People ran helter-skelter, seeking for the most precious things…
… Golden vessels, silver goblets, jeweled showpieces, antique fancy items etc…
But in that crazy rush, there was one particular girl, a teenager, who thought differently.
She took this chance, to go and hug the Prince!
Bingo!!
That was the prized catch!
She now became not just the possessor of the love of her life…
… but also on the heir of the land!
She sought what was the most prized possession!
She went after, that which was the most treasured of them all!
What are we – you and I – seeking in life?
The Gospel of the Day has Jesus posing this fundamental question of our lives: “What do you seek” (Jn 1: 38)
The first chapter of St John has an account of two disciples of John the Baptist who are sent to follow Jesus by the words, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (Jn 1: 29)
John the Baptist is indeed an amazing person.
His life offers us immense qualities to imitate and follow.
- He called people to a renewed way of life by turning to God in repentance
He teaches: The need to have a constant examination of our conscience…
- He lived a life of intense asceticism and self-mortification
He reminds: Of the vanity of earthly glory and what things instead are of utmost importance…
- He pointed out to Jesus as the Lamb of God and directs people towards Him
He teaches: The importance of focusing on Jesus in life and not on other people or things
- He doesn’t feel jealous that all are following Jesus and confesses also of his unworthiness
He reminds: The power of humility and the joy of giving everything for God’s Kingdom
When Jesus sees them following, He turns…. (Jn 1: 38)
He turns around to see ‘a part of humanity that is seeking Him’.
And then Jesus poses this soul-probing question…”What do you seek?”
We too have been following Jesus for quite some time…
Maybe we’ve heard from others & so we follow Him…
Maybe we’ve experienced His caring presence & so we follow Him.
But the Lord once again turns, and asks us, who are following Him : “What do you seek?”
It’s not an interrogation to just obtain some information…
It is rather a question that is posed to determine what is the real focus and centre of our life.
Jesus probably knew why many people were beginning to follow Him:
There would be many seeking Him…
… for bread alone.
… for getting healings alone.
… out of mere curiosity alone.
… for theoretical arguments alone.
… for their own personal desires alone.
And so Jesus poses this heart-penetrating question…”What do you seek?”
The Lord, with His deeply penetrating eyes gazes into the depths of our soul…
… with His soul-arresting charm fixes His eyes into the castle of our heart asks:
“My Child, what do you seek?”
Are you seeking just to have some of your earthly desires fulfilled…
Or do you seek Me in order to treasure me completely and possess eternity?
Are you seeking spirituality just for namesake and out of a societal and religious obligation…
Or do you seek Me because you are convinced of finding in Me, the real Truth and Joy?
Are you seeking transcendence in order to just have a relief in your pains and difficulties…
Or do you seek Me to also have a share in my agony and anguish of the Cross?
The First Reading of the Day presents the beautiful call of the young boy Samuel, who would go on to become one of the greatest prophets of Israel. (Cf. 1 Sam 3:3b-10, 19)
Though he was in the presence of God, Samuel is made to realise the need to consciously seek and listen to God’s Voice, and to respond: “Speak, for your servant is listening!”
With this same “listening attitude,” we pray with the Psalmist, “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!” (Cf. Ps 40)
Can I be a ‘real Seeker of God and of His Kingdom?’
Embracing Jesus, the Prince of Life, would ensure the inheritance of eternity.
Let us become a true seeker of the Lord with the right motives and proper intentions.
God Bless! Live Jesus!
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – THE GRAVITY OF SIN: MORTAL AND VENIAL SIN
Mortal sin requires full knowledge and complete consent.
It presupposes knowledge of the sinful character of the act, of its opposition to God’s law. (CCC # 1859)
Reflection Capsules 