A while ago I took a class at the Servant Leadership School on “Call” led by a very wise spirited woman, Mary Cosby. My assumption then as it continues to be is that each of has a deep longing to know that our life means something. The profound gift of the Incarnation we celebrate year to year, is that as stardust of God’s universe we have within us a particular divine image that the Spirit wants us to manifest in the world.
Today’s gospel* has John the Baptist proclaiming God’s presence in Jesus. “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” Two of John’s disciples immediately turn to Jesus and follow him. And Jesus turns to them and asks the question that can forever change us if we take it to heart, “What are you looking for?”
In asking this question, Jesus is inviting us to into our own depths to know him. He is inviting us into a relationship to discover what we are made of at our core, and what unique gift we have to give in service to God’s creation.
John’s call had been to prepare a way for the Lord. He baptized to ready souls for receiving the one who was to come and baptize with the Spirit. Having committed to new life, John’s disciples did not take long to decide to follow Jesus. I am sure they did not fully understand what they were doing, but they knew they needed to take this step. With them we also are invited to “come and see” where a life in Christ will lead us.
Following call is going to look different for each of us. But for every one of us, it will be an act of faith and require a step into the unknown. We will experience joy as well as know pain. We will be humbled in realizing our limits and stretched beyond them. But we will know, though not fully comprehend, that we are doing what we were born to do—and be.
For reflection:
- Listen. Look around. How is the Spirit nudging you?
- Jesus called together a community. Who might you join with to grow in love and to serve God?
–Trish Stefanik, Overlook Retreat House at Dayspring
