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Come and See |
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Written by Msgr. David Ratermann
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Wednesday, 21 January 2009 |
Msgr. Ratermann is a founder of the Latin America Apostolate, and served in Bolivia from 1956 to 2008.
 (“Come and see,” Jesus says to thee.)
I Sam. 3:3-10, 19: “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”
I Cor. 6:13-15, 17-20: “You are members of the Body of Christ.”
Jn. 1:35-42: "They saw where Jesus lived and they stayed with him."
What time of the day was it when the first disciples went and stayed with Jesus? Anybody remember? The Gospel notes that it was at about four in the afternoon. What’s so important about that? It reminds me of a dear friend of mine who remembers the exact day and time of her first date with the man who later on became her husband and the father of her children. What does that say? Can you remember details about something really important that happened in your life? I can, and I bet you can, too. No doubt, you’re thinking about an important moment, maybe even an encounter with Jesus.
For the disciples, that meeting with Jesus was not just a “head trip.” It was even more than just going out on a date with the Lord, believe it our not. Suppose Jesus had said: “I don’t really have a home around here; I am a wandering prophet.” That would have been just information, a head trip and the disciples might have just said: “Thank you.” End of encounter! You can’t describe yourself with just a few words. We humans are blessed with so many wonderful gifts that it takes a long time walking together to discover and know all those wonderful things about an individual person.
So when the two disciples of John asked Jesus: “Where do you live?” Jesus simply said: “Come and see.” Jesus’ words were an invitation to walk with him, be with him, “hang out with him.” He was really inviting them to become his followers, his disciples. That is the way they got to know Jesus and it did not happen in a big hurry. After three years of being Jesus’ disciples, they knew a good bit, but they also lacked a lot before they could really say: “We are his disciples, his friends; we know him!” The biggest crisis they had to face was the Passion and Death of Jesus. Even though Jesus told them before it happened, they were surprised and actually scandalized. So after the Resurrection, Jesus appeared to them on various occasions and then promised them the Holy Spirit. It was only with the coming of the Holy Spirit that they became full-fledged disciples and even apostles of the Lord Jesus.
What does all this say to us? It’s very important for us to get to know Jesus; and it’s not automatic! It takes a lot of time and a lot of effort. We have to make a real commitment to walk with Jesus, to be with Jesus, to “hang out” with Jesus. Do we really want to do that? And, if so, how do we do it? That’s the question. Spending time with Jesus on Sunday is good; it’s very good, but it’s not enough! If we lack a really personal and intimate relationship with Jesus, we can hardly say we’re his disciples. How then do I walk with Jesus, be with him, “hang out” with him?
God is everywhere! No matter where you are, God is waiting for you; and you don’t need a cell phone to be in contact with God. You don’t even have to say anything. You can calm down, be quiet and just invite the Lord to look at you as you remain quiet for a time, even for just five or ten minutes. Maybe just think over quietly what you heard in church on Sunday or what you read in the Gospel yourself any day at any time. And you know something? God will look at you more lovingly at that time. God has all kinds of ways to be with you, to be present to you…to inspire you, to teach you, to push you, to encourage you, to console you. God will look at you with love. Jesus will send his Spirit just as He did with the first disciples. And then, the eyes with which you look back at God will be the same eyes with which God has looked at you. God will help you to see and love yourself just the way God loves you. You will be renewed!
If you like, you can repeat over and over, the words that Samuel was told to say to God:
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.
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Archdiocese of St. Louis: Mission Office
20 Archbishop May Drive, Saint Louis, MO 63119 • missions@archstl.org
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