What Are You Looking For? The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
What are you looking for?” Jesus asked this question of two men who had begun following Him. Did He already know the answer?
Gospel (Read Jn 1:35-42)
Today, St. John the Apostle, describing the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, tells us that John the Baptist made a comment to two of his own disciples as Jesus walked by them: “Behold, the Lamb of God.” We are used to hearing Jesus spoken of in this way, but it would have been very odd in that day. Jews knew lambs as sacrificial animals. Occasionally, they thought of themselves metaphorically as God’s sheep (as in “The LORD is my shepherd,” Ps 23). However, for John the Baptist to speak of a particular man in this particular way—well, we can see what effect it had: “The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.”
Jesus, aware of the men, “turned and saw them.” Notice that Jesus doesn’t ask, “Who are you?” The question He does ask goes much deeper than a request for their names: “What are you looking for?” These men had been disciples of the Baptist; they had responded to his call to repent in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. Recall how often, in our Advent lectionary readings, we heard John explain that Someone was coming. The people of Judah who flocked to the Jordan, who desired a fresh start as God’s people, were on the alert. The Baptist assured them he was not the One they sought—he baptized with water, but Someone Else was coming to baptize them “with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Mt 3:11).
We are not surprised, therefore, that when two of the Baptist’s disciples heard him say, about Jesus, “Behold, the Lamb of God,” they were eager to find out more. It is noteworthy that in response to Jesus’ question, they did not quiz Him about His own identity. They did not ask for a sign. “Rabbi…where are You staying?” Something happened to them during this face-to-face encounter with the One whom John called the Lamb of God. The question they asked was not for a geographical address. In asking it, they revealed their desire to identify with this new Rabbi. They wanted to hear what He had to say, not as curiosity seekers but as His new disciples. Jesus gave them an invitation that would change their lives forever: “Come, and you will see.” In this, we are reminded of what happened to man’s eyesight in Eden. The serpent suggested to Adam and Eve that through disobedience, their eyes would be “opened.” In reality, of course, they were struck blind to the truth about God and themselves. How remarkable that when Jesus began His public ministry, He said, “you will see.”
