Today’s Gospel gives the first words Jesus speaks in the Gospel of John: “What are you looking for?” My favorite translation (The RSV-CE) puts it, “What do you seek?”

This is an important question. It is important because, as we saw last Sunday with the Presentation of the child Jesus in the Temple, not everyone is able to recognize Jesus for who He is. Not everyone wants what He came to give us. Many men prefer darkness to light, because they believe the darkness hides their evil works.

If we do not want the Light of the World, we will not see Him for what He is. If we do not want to repent and grow in holiness, if we do want want to learn to turn our hearts and wills to God, then they will not bend in God’s direction. If we reject the grace God offers us, we cannot grow in holiness.

And that’s what Jesus came to offer–not success, flourishing, acclaim, security or comfort in this life, but repentance unto salvation, joy, peace, Light, and Life.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Do we seek righteousness? Do we seek Jesus for who He is–not who we think He should be, or want Him to be, but for who He IS? It is an important question we all must ask ourselves.