Experience, knowledge, and listening

John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and 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 you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas,” which is translated Peter. (Jn 1: 37)

Christianity is based on encounter with Jesus. This happened beginning with the first disciples, who followed the Lord at the direction of Saint John the Baptist. We too are called to know Him, whether directly or through the testimony of the Apostles who handed down their experiences through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Love cannot be separated from experience, knowledge, and listening: may we never forget to cultivate these three aspects of our life of Faith.