In our first reading today from 1 John 3, St. John writes, “Whoever sins belongs to the Devil, because the Devil has sinned from the beginning.” Ouch! We all sin, right? So does that mean that we all belong to the Devil? What about yesterday, when we read that we are children of God? Don’t these two thoughts seem to conflict completely? Maybe not. These ideas fit perfectly with the notion of free will. We get to choose every moment whether we want to belong to God or to the Devil. When we choose to sin, when we choose to turn our back on God, we are choosing to belong to the Devil. With that in mind, let’s choose to belong to God.
In the Gospel reading from John 1, Andrew and another disciple of John the Baptist begin to follow Jesus after hearing John say, “Behold the Lamb of God.” When Jesus sees them following Him, He turns and asks them a question. “What are you looking for?” Their answer was, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” Interesting. Were they simply looking for the place that Jesus was staying. I think not.
Jesus’ question is one that all of His followers must answer. What are you looking for? Are you looking for God? Peace? Eternal life? The secrets to the universe? What is it that you are looking for? Have you found what you are looking for?
Father, we bring all of our questions, all of our searching to you this day. Help us to understand that all that we are looking for can be found in you, through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010413.cfm
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