Bridgekeeper: What… is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
King Arthur: What do you mean? An African or European swallow?
Bridgekeeper: Huh? I… I don’t know that.
[he is thrown over]
Bridgekeeper: Auuuuuuuugh.
Sir Bedevere: How do know so much about swallows?
King Arthur: Well, you have to know these things when you’re a king, you know.
Not what you were expecting this morning? Welcome to the theology of Jerry Dorhauer. How did I come up with this from reflecting on Today’s Readings? After reading them, I usually go immediately to Bishop Barron’s reflection on the Gospel. It was reflecting on his reflection that I came up with my reflection today. Makes perfect sense right? Let’s start with the first couple lines of today’s Gospel…
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?”
I read “What are you looking for?” and translated that as “What is your quest?”. Stay with me…the end of today’s Gospel brings Simon Peter (Cephas) into the picture too…
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.
Still not with me? Fast forward through the Gospel and Jesus ends up asking Peter 3 questions…with me now? From John’s 21st Chapter…
Jesus and Peter.* 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,* “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”* He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”16 He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep. i 18 * Amen, amen, I say to you,j when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”19 He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”k
So the three questions for all of us today are – What are you looking for? What is it you seek? Who is it you seek? And I’ll add a fourth, probably the hardest one of all – Are you willing to give your life for that what you seek? Spend some time today just thinking about those questions but know as you do, you won’t be catapulted over the edge for not knowing an immediate answer. Your answers to this question, these questions, will take your total commitment, each and every day of your life. We will all stumble along the way, but God doesn’t catapult – God forgives. To paraphrase a quote from another movie I saw last night – “God wants us on that wall. God needs us on that wall!” So again, take time today to think about the question Jesus asked the two disciples this morning – What are you looking for?
Do something great for our Lord today – take up the quest and follow Him.
God’s will, not mine, be done.
Be not afraid; just have faith.
Jesus, I trust in You.
He must increase; I must decrease.
But you man of God chose righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness. Compete well for the faith.
St. Mary Magdalen Men of God 