Come and See!

Br. Jim Woodrum, Society of St. John the Evangelist

One of my favorite stories in the gospels comes from the first chapter of John. John the Baptist points out Jesus to two of his disciples. The two disciples begin to follow Jesus and he turns to them and asks, “What are you looking for?” The two disciples respond to his question with a question, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” Jesus does not answer them directly with a location but with an invitation: “Come and see,” and the disciples follow him. This was a huge moment for them, and their decision changed their lives.

“What are you looking for?” That question was certainly the gateway for those disciples into a life of deeper meaning and I would argue into more questions. Nathaniel asks, “Where did you come to know me?” Nicodemus asks, “How can anyone be born after having grown old?” The Samaritan woman at the well asks, “Where do you get that living water?” And Jesus, in the rabbinic tradition, often tested his disciples with other questions: Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat? After washing the disciples’ feet, he asks: “Do you know what I have done to you?” In Matthew’s gospel Jesus asks his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?”

Indeed, questions are fundamental for deeper understanding into our identities as "followers of Jesus"—not only who we are, but also how we might serve God both as individuals and as a corporate body, the Church. What are our gifts? How might they be vital to our charism as witnesses of the gospel message? How might we bear witness to Jesus in the context of our lives, careers, and passions?

In my own life, when I said "yes" to Jesus, I had no idea what that would entail. As a monk, I have often asked the question: “How in the world did I end up here?” I had other plans for myself as a musician and teacher, yet I find myself now living in the greater Boston area, living a monastic life in a community of diverse individuals, and doing work that both enriches and challenges me. I take great comfort that questions are a normal part of the Christian life and not the exception.

The word "vocation" comes from the Latin "vocare", which means "to call". Vocation is never discerned alone. To be called means that there are others involved in our discernment: you, Jesus, and a wider community of others also discerning and asking questions, just like Jesus’ disciples. Loving the Questions is a rich and dynamic community that helps people discern the big questions of a life of faith, whether those questions be about identity or vocation (and how those question are often related to each other).

If you find yourself in a place of questions in your life with Jesus, this community is for you and will not only help you lean into the questions but enable you to love those questions as you seek to deepen your relationship with Jesus. If you are wondering if Loving the Questions is for you, well...come and see! ♦