Indispensably Vital Question 

Rev. Marcel Emeka Divine Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Church of Saints Peter & Paul, Loretto, MN

Sunday, January 17, 2021

The Lord’s question to the two young men— John the Baptist’s disciples, who left John to follow him, “What are you looking for?” is an absolutely necessary and relevantly important question for all people, especially Christians. Many people go through life without really knowing what they fundamentally want, as such like a drift wood, they drift and get lost. In times past, everyone of us have wondered about aimlessly. But due to mercy, God’s mercy, tender-loving mercy, mercy that is ever anew, we found the Lord, or better still God found us. “What are you looking for?” is addressed to anyone who is lost in the wilderness of the world; it is addressed to those who are wandering about in a lonely road of spiritual and moral aridity. It is addressed to anyone who is anxious, angry, bitter, hateful, divisive, restless, and violent. It is addressed to all those who are so restive and edgy in our nation today. The question is addressed to you and me and to all regular people, everyday Christian here and out there. The question is an opportunity for John’s disciples to declare their intention. Before Jesus appeared on the public scene, they have been John’s disciples. John is a forerunner, a great prophet, but not the Salvator (Savior). His disciples wanted something more, something that John is not able to provide. By asking Jesus the question, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” they are basically declaring their deepest desire to be with him. The Lord’s reply, “Come and you will see,” is his warm invitation to them as well as to us. Come and you will see what is possible with God. Come and you will see what is inevitable without Him. 

Beloved in Christ, the correct answer to the question, “What are you looking for?” is eternal life. It is friendship with God. It is holiness. Those are the simple, clear, and unambiguous articulation of any believer who truly wants to be more like Jesus. Some people may know, more or less, what they want spiritually, but due to worldly distraction and opposition they are not able to summon the courage and attention needed to actualize their spiritual aspiration. They know they should be growing in holiness, but the secular culture that continuously proposes sex, sensual pleasure, power, honor, vain glory, esteem of others etc cause them to lose their way. They know their life should be all about Jesus, that Jesus should be at the center of their life, that everyday is an opportunity to deepen their relationship with him, but due to criticism and mockery of people who are stuck in the way of the world, who call their choice of life old fashion and outdated, they quit walking with Jesus. 

“What are you looking for?” is Jesus’ first words at the beginning of his public ministry according to John’s Gospel. After the completion of his ministry, he asks Mary of Magdala a similar question, “Whom are you looking for?” (Jn. 20:15). The two questions not only set the ministry of Jesus but are questions that every man and woman should and must ask themselves as they explore the meaning and direction of their lives. What are you looking for? Whom are you looking for?