John: A Gospel for Tumultuous Times 3 Come and See

 John 1:35-51

Photo by Janice Balesic

This story of the first disciples marks the beginning of the difference between the synoptics* and John’s gospel.  Peter and Andrew were named among the twelve disciples but not Philip and Nathaniel.  The two communities shared some traditional knowledge but not all.  If we are inviting people to think about our church, our community, our ideas or our perspective, can we learn anything from how Jesus approached people who were not familiar with his ideas.  “What are you looking for?”  seems to be a good starting point.  No one wants to listen to anything unless it answers some of their questions or speaks to their worries.  “Come and see” is an invitation but not a threatening one. 

I wonder what we have in our lives that is worth “coming to see.”  Does our faith make our lives more fulfilled, our children more secure and loved, our hope more firm, our families more peaceful, our hearts more generous, our faces more filled with joy?  Is this obvious to anyone whom we invite to “come and see”? 

As we experience our first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, maybe we are the ones who need to “come and see.”  Are we willing to listen to what others might have to teach us instead of just figuring out how we can teach them?  How do we respond when what they have to say is an uncomfortable truth?  As we read on through the gospel story, we will find more division and little reconciliation.  We cannot deny that our faith has been a hindrance to truth and reconciliation in the past, indeed it has been used to justify the horrors we are now trying to face.  Can it also be a guide to a better, more just society?  Jesus was carefully observing all that was around him.  He offered an invitation, no coercion. 

*The synoptic gospels are Matthew, Mark and Luke.  When you read them, it is easy to see that Mark is the basis for Matthew and Luke.  Some is quoted word for word, some altered with additions and deletions unique to both.  John is unique, obviously coming from another Christian community.  This gospel, the Letters to John along with the Revelation to John make up what is referred to as the Johannine writings.  Although not all written by the same person, they are thought to be written in and for the same group of early Christians.