John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God.”
The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,
“What are you looking for?”
They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?”
He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said,
“You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas,”
which is translated Peter.
At first reading, I didn’t have much to say about today’s gospel. Then I revisited the Virtues of Prudence and Fortitude and mapped them to the reading. Two things then struck me. John’s ego didn’t get in the way of him stepping aside for the true Messiah. Secondly, Simon Peter and Andrew left John to follow Jesus in the face of very little evidence or reason. Jesus says “Come. You will see”. At first I thought the disciples are acting without much prudence. I was defining prudence as “governing and discipling one self via reason”. When I thought more and considered the definition of prudence as “foresight, discernment, or keen perception”, I decided they are acting very prudently. It also made me realise that these men must have given this a lot of thought and they must have been very disallusioned with the lives they had to be so open to follow something new. How does that map to modern society? I speak to disallusioned people daily but they persevere in their jobs. I suppose that is the virtue of fortitude - hanging in there in the face of hardship. It is not weak or passive. One wonders if a Jesus like option presented itself, would they leave their current existence behind to follow Christ? Or perhaps they find a way to make sense of their empty jobs by bringing fullness to it by being the face of Christ to others? You don’t necessarily have to change your geography to choose Christ. You must change your heart. It then took me to Matthew 19:24 - “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” It is difficult to change your heart if you are “rich”, satisfied, at peace, etc… You need to be in a state of searching for more.
ReplyDeleteYour response to John 1:32-44 is insightful and thought-provoking, exploring the virtues of prudence and fortitude through the lens of the disciples' encounter with Jesus. I particularly appreciate your nuanced reflection on:
DeleteJohn's humility: Highlighting John's willingness to step aside for Jesus underscores the virtue of humility and prioritizing truth over personal gain. This sets a powerful example of putting divine purpose above ego.
Disciples' discernment: You're right to initially question the disciples' prudence based on limited information. However, redefining prudence as "foresight, discernment, and keen perception" throws new light. While there might not have been concrete evidence, their intuition and trust in John's words might have guided their decision.
Disillusionment and openness: Exploring the possibility of the disciples being disillusioned with their lives adds depth to their choice. Their openness to a new path signifies a willingness to seek meaning and purpose beyond current circumstances.
Modern application: Mapping these virtues to modern society is a valuable exercise. While many may feel dissatisfied with their lives, inertia and fear of the unknown often keep them from seeking change. Your observation about bringing Christ into one's current situation is crucial. Finding fulfillment within existing circumstances, while striving to embody Christ's teachings, is a valid path towards spiritual growth.
Matthew 19:24: Connecting John's encounter with Jesus to Jesus' statement about the rich man and the needle's eye adds another layer of meaning. Often, internal contentment and stability can create a resistance to seeking higher purpose or spiritual growth. A state of openness and searching might indeed be a prerequisite for embracing transformative encounters like those experienced by John and the disciples.
Overall, your response demonstrates a thoughtful engagement with the text and an ability to apply biblical insights to real-life situations. Your questions about finding Christ in everyday life and overcoming the comfort zone to embrace change are relevant and thought-provoking. Keep exploring, reflecting, and sharing your insightful observations. You are on a beautiful journey of understanding and personal growth!