Looking for Jesus in all the eternal places

A reflection on the daily readings, for the Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

+ Today continues this thematic presentation of sin and righteousness.

We are told once again that, “if you consider that God is righteous, you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness is begotten by him.”

Now that is quite a statement; but it also suggests the opposite.

If we sin, then are we begotten by God, or have we fallen out of relationship with God?

And maybe John had a deep urgency to call all disciples back to God, and back to righteousness.

And to avoid idolatries, to remain in the truth that they have received, and to avoid all the pettiness and sin that lead them away from love of one another and love of God.

Is John saying we must be perfect? In a sense he is. But is that really possible?

We all sin. But John is making a case for a fundamental commitment to God and God’s righteousness.

John is calling us to the impossible: to perfection and sinlessness.

And why not? Why not shoot for the best, and the highest and top quality?

Even if we miss, we are seeking for what John would describe as remaining in God, remaining in his love.

+ Having said all of that, what an interesting question Jesus asks the two disciples of John the Baptist, who were standing with John, when the latter pointed out Jesus, and declared —

“Behold, the Lamb of God.”

Interestingly, these two disciples heard John’s statement and simply followed Jesus.

They, apparently, were already attracted or curious, or getting in touch with something deep within themselves.

And Jesus, immediately aware that “something” was going on within them, asked, “What are you looking for?”

Curious, indeed; he did not ask who are you looking for, but what are you looking for.

And their curious response was, “Rabbi, where are you staying?”

One could make a big deal out of these simple words who and what — and perhaps they should.

Maybe Jesus got it exactly right

Even before getting concerned about who, maybe we first need to discover what within us?

What do we want? What fulfills and sustains us?

What connects with our deepest desires and thirsts?

And when the what of these disciples somehow seemed to connect with this Jesus walking before them, no wonder they would wonder where he stayed, remained, or lived.

And when Jesus told them to, “Come and you will see,” just maybe they were going to discover that it was not just in one little corner of this planet.

He was referring to a huge inner space within that would touch everyone, everything, and every place.

Maybe Jesus was introducing them to something eternal even then.

And so, even and maybe especially for us, is that not the same? When we discover what we are looking for within ourselves, should not that help us to find it?

And if we are looking for that divineness of God that so filled the person of Jesus — and when Jesus tells us to, “come and see and hear and feel” — should not we actually discover Jesus the Christ first within ourselves?

For after all, we are walking and talking tabernacles of the Lord.

And once we discover that truth, then, indeed, we know that we both heard and followed Jesus when he said to us, “Come and see!“

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Father Perry Dean Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com.