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Keeping Watch: Day 33

THURSDAY, JAN 4

John 1: 35 -42

 

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.

 

Grace: I ask for the grace to know Jesus in a deeper way that I may abundantly love and follow him.

Jesus, I see you walk by and I am stunned by the pull you exert on me.  Your eyes, your beauty, so ordinary, yet endlessly fascinating.  How is it that a humble carpenter from Nazareth can exude such peace?  I unconsciously take one step after another following you.  I see a group of men pulled forward by the same mystery I am experiencing.  They push me aside in their eagerness to speak to you.  They say: “Where do you live?”  and you answer: “Come and see.”

In one instant my life goes on hold, my world falls apart.  After all, I’m a woman.  You would never invite me into your home, it would be frowned upon, talked about as a very scandalous gesture, indeed an immoral one.  Reputable rabbis don’t teach women.  So I stop.  I watch you walk away into the distance…but gradually a sense of peace floods my being.  What is this peace saying to me?

Now I know.  I would invite you into my home.  You would seek my home as a sanctuary.  My family and I would provide a respite from the struggles, controversies and betrayals of life.  I just have to wait.  You, my beloved guest and friend, will come to my door when the time is right.  You will teach, and I will listen.  I will be discipled because I said “Come and rest; come and be loved.”

 

For Reflection and Prayer:

Have you ever wished that your life looked like the life of others?

Have you ever wanted to be called as others are called?

How is Jesus speaking a unique word in your heart?

 

You may wish to close this time by listening to this hymn, Jesus, I Love You, by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir as you reflect on today’s scripture


The Contributor:

Renata Furst teaches scripture and spirituality at Oblate School of Theology. She accompanies others through the journey of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in daily life. She shares this gift to train spiritual directors to accompany others through this same journey.

Learn more about  Magis Ignatian Spirituality Programs


Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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