Familiarity breeds contempt they say. Not sure who “they” are – but I have heard “they“ say stuff my whole life.  Used “they” sayings too when it suited my circumstances. I think this repeated annual pilgrimage in the church bible reading calendar is like that.  They say …

“Ahhh yes, we are in that time of year … “

“The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he 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 see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).” John 1:35-42

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Christmas done. Baby Jesus done. Little Jesus done. Big Jesus and the potted Three Years underway with the cross, the blood, and the “We Are Saved!” already beckoning. Bit of denial during Lent and we are home and dry for another year.

It was a few years ago I learned that discipling was like an apprenticeship, like extended internship – not exclusive to “The Disciples” at all.

So John had some.  And now here was something better. And they moved ship (with John’s blessing).  All very transactional.  Fits the narrative.  Is on message.  Is familiar (and all that “they” say).

“It’s a love story.”

Morning GSHJ, how are you today?

“We all want to be loved.  We all want to love.  These “disciples” are simply looking for love – but looking / discipling “familiarly” – all wrapped up in the trappings of the culture (which tends to blur the searching).

See John – “There is your Love.”  See the two – “We look for Love.”  And they stay to see.  And they see.  So they find another – “We have found Love.”  And the other  comes to see as well.”

Why the name change?

“You are family.  You are loved.  Nothing comes between us.  Not even the name given by another.  Nothing – not even a puff of wind – ever gets in the way.  Unless you are listening to “they” and all they say.

Listen for Love.  Look for Love.  See Love.  Do not be distracted by all the safe trappings that mean “it” is logical, that proves “it” is the right thing, that “it” is “its” own evidence … that you “know” what you are about.

Without Love at its heart, this annual plod through familiar verses is convenient and on message, it is just another “contemptuous ritual” keeping you from me and me from you.  Listen for Love.  Look for Love.  See Love.  And choose to linger when you see Love.  Isn’t that why we are both here today?“

Yes love is.  Thank you friend.
((hugs))

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