Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (January 15, 2006)

Readings 1 Sm 3: 3b-10, 19 Ps 40: 2, 4, 7-10 1 Cor 6: 13c-15a, 17-20 Jn 1: 35-42

Suggested Emphasis

"What are you looking for?"

Salesian Perspective

What are you looking for?

Are you looking for the best in life?
Are you looking for the worst in life?
Are you looking for meaning and purpose in life?
Are you looking to just get by in life?
Are you looking for a God who is always present to you?
Are you looking for a God found only in special places or once-in-a lifetime events?
Are you looking for peace?
Are you looking for division?
Are you looking for reconciliation?
Are you looking for alienation?
Are you looking for hope?
Are you looking for despair?
Are you looking for light?
Are you looking for darkness?

Why are these questions - and so many others like them - so important?

We generally tend to more easily or quickly see those things for which we are looking.
We frequently fail to see or recognize those things for which we are not looking.

The Salesian tradition challenges us to look for our common dignity and destiny as sons and daughters of God. The Salesian tradition challenges us to look for our unique roles in God's plan of salvation. The Salesian tradition challenges us to look for God in every event, circumstance and relationship of everyday life. The Salesian tradition challenges us to look for daily opportunities to serve one another in simple, practical and ordinary ways. The Salesian tradition challenges us to look for ways to make real here on earth something of the justice, truth, reconciliation, freedom and peace that are promised to us forever in heaven. The Salesian tradition challenges us to look for a God who calls us by name, who loves us, who cherishes us, who pursues us, who forgives us, who strengthens us…and who calls us to do the same for one another.

So, at this point in your life, what are you, in fact, looking for?

Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS is Executive Director of the De Sales Spirituality Center.