Jan. 4, 2012 Friday: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

John in his characteristic humility was eager to point beyond himself to the Christ. He did not hesitate to direct his own disciples to the Lord Jesus. When two of Johns disciples began to seek Jesus out, Jesus took the initiative to invite them into his company. He did not wait for them to get his attention. Instead he met them halfway. He asked them one of the most fundamental questions of life: What are you looking for? Jesus asks each one of us the same question: What are you searching for? Do you know the meaning and purpose for your life? Only God, the Father and Author of life, can answer that question and make our purpose fully known to us. That is why the Lord Jesus invites each one of us to draw near to himself. He wants us to know him personally to know what he came to do for us and what he wants to offer us. "Come and see" is the Lord's invitation for each one of us to discover the joy of friendship and communion with the One who made us in love for love. Saint Augustine of Hippo reminds us that it is God our Creator and Redeemer who seeks us out, even when we are not looking for him: If you hadnt been called by God, what could you have done to turn back? Didnt the very One who called you when you were opposed to Him make it possible for you to turn back? It is God who initiates and who draws us to himself. Without his mercy and help we could not find him on our own.
-Don Schwager, www.dailyscripture.net