SEEING, HEARING, & FOLLOWING

Do you believe in love at first sight?  Realists claim it’s unreasonable, saying that love must be nurtured to grow.  Romantics insist instant attraction often allows one to recognize a soulmate at once.  Whatever any of us believes about love at first sight, we must admit the first of Jesus’ disciples certainly experienced an instant attraction to him.  On John’s word, they turned from their lives to go after this unknown teacher.  Andrew is so immediately smitten he convinces his brother Simon to join them.

More remarkably, they follow Jesus to an unknown destiny, not knowing where he lives, let alone what discipleship might require of them.  Are we this willing and enthusiastic about our discipleship?  I feel like I'm preaching to the choir, daily Mass participants.  Was it love at first sight for us?  We attended Mass once and said I'm leaving everything, or at least re-prioritizing my life to include this beloved time, or are we more of the realist, who is inclined to hesitate, to let the relationship develop over time and maybe put conditions on our willingness to follow?  Have we made the way of Christ truly our path of life, even when it appears dark and fearful?

The question hanging in the air is, “What are you looking for?” (Jn 1:38) People must be prepared for instant attraction.  The disciples had most likely been raised with the hope of witnessing a Messiah who would save their people.  They spent their lives to that point in readiness; when the Messiah appeared, their hearts were prepared to recognize him.  We see the same readiness in today’s saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton.

From an early age, she studied the Scriptures and opened her heart to whatever was in store for her.  This openness allowed her to embrace God’s call to a life she had probably never envisioned for herself.

Our challenge today is to follow the example of these disciples.  When we participate in Mass and approach the altar to receive the real presence of Christ, “What are we looking for?”  As disciples, are we spending our lives in the hope & readiness of experiencing the same instant attraction?  Are we able to recognize the reality of what is occurring as we hear God’s voice in the Word proclaimed and participate in the Eucharistic meal?  Are we willing to leave (have we left) our old ways to give complete commitment to Christ?