2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time John 1: 35-42 – Homily from Deacon Rob
Whenever I come across this Gospel message from John, my mind jumps back to all my years working in the grocery industry. Most notably, my 25 years with HV. Where all employees and management were continually tasked with Good Customer Service skills. To ensure that, HV would send in mystery shoppers in a given month to evaluate the employees. The top priority was relating to the customer. Did we greet them? Did we ask if there was anything we could help them find? Do we have a ‘can do’ attitude? Did we make them feel taken care of, so they next time they go grocery shopping they come back because we take care of them? Then a report was sent to the store director, and if an employee failed to offer good service, they were called to the office. So that always kept us on our toes.
Jesus’ first words in today’s Gospel to his disciples was a question, “What are you looking for?” At times when we’re in great need, someone asking us ‘what are you looking for’ is music to our ears. At other times maybe that question catch’s us a bit off guard, possibly making us a bit defensive. In all reality, Jesus has been asking us this question all through our lives probably before we were even baptized. Jesus speaks to us first; God always takes the initiative. He desires a life- long relationship with us. He wants that for every single soul he has ever breathed into life. Then the ball is in our court, and we must decide to either follow Him, or to turn a deaf ear. Most likely each of us have muttered something akin to ‘not now Lord, I’m too busy’.
Thankfully, God never, ever gives up on us! If he doesn’t get our complete attention one way, He’ll find another way. He’s multifaceted. Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor, He’s the mediator between God and man. He is the Bridegroom, He’s the first and the last, the Alpha and the Omega. He is the author and finisher of our faith! And he understands our frailty, human beings aren’t known for being perfect after all. Jesus is patient, understanding and thankfully, forgiving. Today we meet the prophet Samuel, early on in his ministry. Samuel hears God reaching out to him, but thinks he is reaching out to Eli instead. Despite being awakened several times, Eli realizes that it is Samuel whom the Lord is talking too and prepares him to reply, ‘Speak Lord, for your servant is listening’. Then Samuel comes to understand. I believe strongly that at times God speaks directly to us, through others.
Early on in our years at Sr. Rose in Denison, the director of religious education asked to meet with as many parishioners as possible one evening in early Fall. As an icebreaker he had everyone number of either 1 or 2 forming two teams. The he chose two ladies from our parish, one of who had just recently moved to the Denison area. He blindfolded each of them, turned them around several times and then led out of the room for the time being. After that he threw two beanbags across the parish center landing them close to the far wall. Then he appointed another gentleman and me to be the team leaders. He explained that when we opened the door to the blindfolded ladies, as leaders we had to convince our lady to trust us so we could lead her to, while everyone else was trying to distracter her, throw her off, just one of us was speaking the truth. She had to decide whom to follow. I wasn’t sure exactly what I was going to say to her that would make her believe I was telling the truth. I prayed to the Holy Spirit to help me find the right words to say, and then it came to me… As we opened the door and everyone else was talking at them, I said, ‘Carolyn, in the name of Jesus I swear I will not lie to you, but you must listen to me.’ After a few seconds I repeated, ‘Carolyn, in the name of Jesus I swear I will not lie to you.’ And that did it, she moved stepped close to me, followed me and I coaxed her to the beanbag, and we won by a mile. And that was how I met Carolyn, who became the director of religious ed. at St. Rose the following year cementing a long-term friendship between her & I. She retired just this year.
The world we live in today, shouts out to us from many different directions. All clamoring for our attention. We need be cautious so as not to fall into the trap. God is minimalized… just another option, when in reality we know that God is the Holiest and Best option. The world demands our time, our money, our resources all distracting us from what is truly important. Jesus wants more from us than our weekly church attendance and any time we may squeeze in for prayer. He wants US, he wants all of US! He’ll never tire of us and he’ll never stop asking.
In today’s gospel we find Paul preaching & teaching the people of Corinth. In actuality Paul spent about 18 months with the Corinthians, a city sometimes compared to Las Vegas. Immorality was rampant and Paul feared for their souls. Many paid no attention when he continually reminded them that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit, and we should treat them as such. The same can be said of the world we know today. Each night in my prayers I like to do an examination of conscience for the way I navigated the past day. Did I do my part to further aid the Kingdom of God? Was I patient with everyone I encountered? Should I have approached some things in a better way? Was my mind open to God and his many ways? Am I willing to bend to God’s ways if they are not in alignment with mine? Some days I felt like “Yes I did!” Many other days ‘No, I didn’t’. Then I challenge myself in the future to handle some things differently in order to best serve Him. We could ask ourselves if we need to reprioritize some things in our lives in order to do just that. Maybe less time on Facebook, and more time in the daily scriptures and devotions. Less time watching sports on TV, and more time in prayer. Less time in the chaotic noise of the outside world, more time with God in the eardrum shattering sound of silence. Through our lives God nudges us in different ways. Human beings don’t like to change, it can make us feel uncomfortable. Think how Andrew & Peter today were asked by Jesus to leave their nets and follow Him. Would we be so flexible? Less time in what the world says is IMPORTANT, more time storing up treasures in Heaven. And as responsible Catholics being role models for all who are in our lives.
We’re all spiritual works in progress. Do others see Jesus in our actions, words and examples?? If not, why not? God loves us more than we will ever fully realize, His plans for us are fare greater that what we can imagine. Jesus knew that Peter, Seefuhs would eventually deny him thrice during His passion, yet eventually he entrusted Peter, Seefuhs with the keys to the Kingdom of God. It is up to us to improve in our daily responses to God. “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
Where is Jesus in my life? Have I kept his out of sight to others? I hope not. When I do jail ministry, do the prisoners see Jesus in me? I sure hope so. When I’m exhausted, frustrated, and worn out I find great comfort in Matthew’s gospel when Jesus invites us to “Come to me are who are weary and heavily burdened, and I will give you rest”. What are you looking for? Not my will Lord, but your will be done. Today and every day.
