“Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”

by Chris Findley | September 2, 2010 1:00 pm

[1]A priest friend recently told me the story of filling in for another priest one Sunday morning.  When he went to the pulpit to begin his homily he noticed a small plaque that was mounted to the pulpit.  It was only visible to him and contained only one sentence.  It read, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” (John 12:21)   He looked out at the congregation and thought deeply about that verse as he glanced at their faces.  For him, this verse became a constant reminder to ask the question, “Am I showing Jesus to those I serve? Do I remember that it is He they need to see?”

I believe this reminder can also speak to you and me in our daily lives as well.

In John 12 some Greeks approach Philip to request an audience with Jesus.  These Greeks were “God Fearers” of some sort and may or may not have been Gentile converts to Judaism.  But there’s something about Jesus that attracts them.  You can imagine them trying to elbow past the disciples. They don’t ask about formalities.  Their request is pure and simple and direct, “We would like to see Jesus.”  This fulfills the statement that was made just a few verses earlier where, upon witnessing Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Pharisees respond with, “Look, the world has gone after him.” (John 12:19)

Do we continue to go after him?  Distractions are common for us.  Like Martha we can be busy doing many things and neglect the one thing needed…Jesus.  Remember Martha wasn’t doing anything wrong.  As far as we know everything she was doing was being done in love and in a spirit of hospitality.  She wasn’t necessarily out of line by working as hard as she was. However, her preoccupation with the urgent had pulled her away from the important.  Ever fall into that trap?

Sometimes we need to ask ourselves whether or not we have the same goal as the Greeks in John 12. Do we have the simple and profound desire to see Jesus?  And:

Not to listen to another sermon about Jesus.

Not to read another book about Jesus.

Not to hum the tune of another song about Jesus.

But to really see him and to be in His presence.

Not to rush around as if the whole universe is dependent on my work.

Not to hide behind my work because I’m scared of what I might find if I stopped.

Not to despair because I feel like I’m never caught up.

But to sit, even for five minutes, and remember the Truth of who He is and who I am.

Not to exchange the urgent for the important.

No, you and I are called to more.  We are called to listen to our soul’s insistent plea, “We would like to see Jesus.”

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Source URL: http://www.integratedcatholiclife.org/2010/09/sir-we-would-like-to-see-jesus/

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