MANY IN THE WORLD ARE SEARCHING, OFTEN INTENSELY, FOR A SOURCE OF REFRESHMENT THAT WILL QUENCH THEIR YEARNING FOR MEANING AND DIRECTION IN THEIR LIVES. THEY CRAVE A COOL, SATISFYING DRINK OF INSIGHT AND KNOWLEDGE THAT WILL SOOTHE THEIR PARCHED SOULS.

JOSEPH B. WIRTHLIN

One of the great stories in Jesus’ life was early in His ministry, when He was calling people to come and follow Him. Andrew and James were amongst many of the people walking behind Jesus. I guess they would have been curious to see where He was going and what He was doing. What was the fuss around this man named Jesus? John the Baptist had said publicly that “Jesus is the one we’ve all been waiting for”. At one point along the path Jesus stops, He turns around and He asks the people, ‘what are you looking for?’

What a question. It’s the perfect question and a question that we throw around frequently. What may seem a throw away comment has great meaning. How often do we end up in a bad situation, down a bad track, when we ask ourselves how on earth did I get here? These questions are questions that we have probably asked ourselves at one time or another and often questions we might hear when we are meeting our companions. We might even ask ourselves how they ended up here, seeking assistance from us.

So many decisions. What are you looking for? Are you looking for money? Are you looking for acceptance? Are you looking for direction? Are you looking for support? We will not always know what is in store for us, but we should pray that we would become aware of the things in our lives and around us that drive us so that we can live a life with passion, and with purpose.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

What are the things in your life that you are searching for?

What gives you purpose?

From: Firewood for the soul, vol. 1, A Reflexion Book for the Whole Vincentian Family
St. Vincent de Paul Society, Queensland, Australia.
Text by: Samantha Hill.