Our journey is primarily with Jesus. We are invited to “Come and see.” We are called to have an encounter with Jesus, an encounter of faith, just as real as Andrew and Peter in John’s Gospel.
Information about Jesus will never be enough. We need to open our heart and our life to him on a daily basis. It is in a growing and deepening relationship with Jesus that we slowly grasp what we are looking for. Clarity and depth come with the investment of our time and the commitment of our heart. We begin to see the truth that evolves with the journey of walking with Jesus.
If we truly desire personal transformation, we must have an inkling of how deep and pervasive the mystery of Jesus truly is. John of the Cross has a remarkable statement about this need for the relentless pursuit of this encounter with Jesus.
“There is much to fathom in Christ, for he is like an abundant mine with many recesses of treasures so that however deep individuals may go they never reach the end or bottom, but rather in every recess find new veins with new riches everywhere.” (C.3.7.4)
Today, the Church teaches us that Jesus in the Gospels is the source of our freedom. He alone will free us from the darkness of sin and the control of Satan and all his modern-day methods of enslavement. When we read the Gospels, we have to go beyond the skimming the surface. We need to find our truth in the story of the leper that is cleansed, the paralytic who is healed and forgiven, the hungry that are fed with the loaves and the fishes. We need to be confronted with Peter by the awe-inspiring question of salvation, “Who do you say I am?” (Mk 8:27) We also will be told to take up our cross and follow Him to Jerusalem. (Mk 8:34)
Indeed, we will see that the invitation, “Come and you will see” (Jn 1:39) is our invitation to the mystery of Jesus. Our acceptance will help us answer the fundamental question of our human reality, “What are you looking for?” (Jn 1:38)
Faith and a growing relationship with Jesus will lead the way. We will grow in understanding his word. We will grow in surrendering to his call. This growth is what we need to answer his essential question: “Who do you say I am.” (Mk 8:27) When we answer this question, we become able to respond to another important question, “What are you looking for?” (Jn 1:38) Now we realize our own identity as children of God. We know where we are going and how to get there.
