What Do You Seek?

 

When we ask right, God will give us what we ask.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Thursday, Christmas Time Before Epiphany, January 4th, 2024
Texts: 1 John 3:7-10; Psalm 98:1,7-9; John 1:35-42 

Jesus Christ asked the two disciples of John the Baptist who were following him the question, "What do you seek?"  The question is not “who do you seek?” It is “what do you seek?” In other words, what do we expect from Him? Andrew and his friend answered, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" They longed to be with him and know Him. They teach us that it is right to be with the Lord. Being with the Lord is to surrender ourselves to His influence, yielding ourselves to Him. We are with Him when we pray, read His words and do right.  

Jesus Christ did not refuse the disciples their request. Why? St. John, in the first reading, answered thus: “He who does right is righteous, as he is righteous.” God does not refuse the request of a righteous man. Righteous man does ask right. Hence, Jesus said to them, "Come and see." This reminds us of His words: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Mt. 5:6). When we ask right, God will give us what we ask. 

Jesus confronts us with the same question, today: "What do you seek?" Perhaps, we seek wealth! It could also be good health, honour, fame, authority etc. However, St. John, in today’s first reading, says, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” St. John mentions sin among the works of the devil Jesus has come to destroy. Hence, he says, “Any one born of God does not commits sin; for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God.” We must seek first to live life without sin in our relationship with Him.  

If we do not seek what He came for, we are not with Him. It is the case when we do not seek holiness. In the words of St. John: “By this it may be seen who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not do right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother.” When we are following Jesus Christ, we must seek life without sin to have a date with Him. Our interest must align with His interest.  

Prayer 

O God, who by the Nativity of your Only Begotten Son wondrously began for your people the work of redemption, grant, we pray, to your servants such firmness of faith, that by his guidance they may attain the glorious prize you have promised. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke