Beware of venial sins: The silent soul destroyer
What are you looking for?
“The next day John was there again with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God.’ The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come, and you will see.’ So, they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day.” (John 1:35-39)
John that Baptist points to the Messiah and declares that Jesus is the true Lamb of God and, as a result, he loses followers. His disciples turn and follow Jesus. John the Baptist was not in it for a large following or to be a social influencer. He was there to point others in the direction of Christ and to help others follow the Lord. When Jesus sees them leave John and come follow Him there is this exchange that is profound. Jesus asks them the same question he is asking us today: ‘What are you looking for?’
Jesus notices those following Him. He SEES them. It’s important to know that Jesus SEES you. He knows you are there, and He notices you. He knows who is following him and he still asks his disciples (that’s you!) “What are you looking for?” If we do not know what we are looking for in this life, then we certainly will never know when we find it.
The disciples, in turn, ask Jesus a question. They ask Jesus where he is staying and, in turn, Jesus invites them to come and stay with him. He invites us to examine our lives and identify what it is in life we are seeking and he, like this encounter with his followers, invites us to come and stay with him. The disciples went and stayed with Jesus that day. Their question had been answered. Their curiosity, perhaps, had been satisfied. Yet, notice, Jesus’ question was never answered by them. I find it interesting that they never, at least not that we are told in Scripture, answer Jesus’ question. Perhaps they realized they had found what they were looking for because they had found Jesus.
Have you found what you are looking for today? What do you want from Jesus? What do you seek? Jesus invites you to come and stay with Him in His presence, as His follower and disciple, and you will find everything you are seeking.
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About the Author
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
