“Come and see” is what Jesus said to the two disciples of John the Baptist who asked him, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” (John 1:35-39)
Jesus responds to their question but he does not answer it. Instead of an answer he extends an invitation. Instead of information he offers an experience. Instead of a destination he offers a journey. If they want to know where Jesus is staying they will have to find out for themselves. That means leaving John the Baptist behind, letting go of what they think they know, and opening themselves to the future and something new. They didn’t know what lay ahead or where Jesus’ invitation would take them but St. John tell us they went anyway, “they came and saw where he was staying” (John 1:39).
Those have been and continue to be important learnings in my life. If I am not getting anywhere new it may be because I am unwilling to leave where I am.
I am finding that I have more questions than answers and that the answers I do have need to be held lightly until they give way to the next better question. As you may remember, I recently posted about some changes to this website and my ministry. I don’t know where any of this is leading but I would be grateful for your presence and companionship on this journey. Let’s find out together.
I hope you will “come and see” with me. In that regard, if you are not already a subscriber I invite you to subscribe to Interrupting the Silence. New posts will be delivered directly to your inbox.
Please feel free to offer your comments, insights, experiences, and questions. Those will be important parts of our journey together.
In addition to posting articles I will also be offering online spiritual direction and spiritual formation classes and groups.
Please feel free to contact me if I may be of assistance.
God’s peace be with you
Mike+
Interrupting the Silence 
Mike, I am looking forward to being present with you on this journey…
God bless you,
Marsha
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Thanks Marsha. I’m grateful for your presence.
Peace be with you,
Mike+
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Mike we are excited to see where you lead us. We are thankful to be on this journey with you our friend and priest.
Peace,
Janice Griffin
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Janice, I’m always grateful for your and Gary’s support and companionship.
God’s peace be with you,
Mike+
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Thank you Mike for inviting me to join you. I am honored and interested in where we go together.
Linda with love and blessings to you and your courage and spirit and trust.
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Thanks Linda. I’m grateful for your friendship and presence. I hope all is well for you.
Peace be with you,
Mike+
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You wrote that “If I am not getting anywhere new it may be because I am unwilling to leave where I am.” That statement is painfully true for me, a 77-year-old white woman who asks herself every day, “What am I doing here, in this place and time? What is it that God would have me do?” On many levels, I am afraid to make the changes that might lead to greater joy and fulfillment. Maybe if I accompany you on your wanderings, I will be able to see my own best path more clearly.
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Marilyn, I think letting go or leaving behind is a the center of most authentic spirituality. That does not necessarily mean a physical letting go or geographical leaving behind. It’s more interior, I think, and in some ways more difficult. As you mentioned, it confronts with our fears.
Thank you for sharing a part of your life. I’m grateful for our presence and companionship on this journey.
God’s peace be with you,
Mike+
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I’m walking with you, Fr. Mike, learning that letting go of where I am is life, whereas struggling to hold on is not life at all.
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Francis, there is much wisdom in what you say about letting go. I’m glad to walking with you.
God’s peace be with you,
Mike+
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I am walking with you, Fr. Mike. I have learned that letting go brings new life whereas holding on does not. Your reflections and the questions you ask so often move me forward. Thank you, and best of everything with the new format.
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Thank you for your encouragement and support.
Mike+
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My husband died 8 weeks ago and I have been busy with family and friends. I’ve just had a day travelling on my own and had to return to the empty flat after 2 weeks. This released my unbearable pain of losing my love of 58 years. I was begging for him to be returned to me or for me to join him. I have wonderful family and friends who would be upset to think I had felt like that. But I know the depth of ‘begging’. Our priest at Mass said today Bartimaeus shouted out against the annoyance of the crowd. I feel now I must speak out and follow the Lord like he did. There are so many media driven cohorts that distort simple truths and common sense. People seem afraid to speak out against the clamour whipped up, and extreme thoughts and ways of living are not just tolerated but get distorted attention. Its was always thus I suppose. However the Lord’s truths are clear and simple and we should hold out against these being seen as reactionary and unfashionable. I will try to play my part now, and accept the new ‘sight’ I have gained over many years and the anguish of grief, and follow the Lord like Bartimaeus.
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Marilyn, I am so sorry for your loss. I hear deep love and grief behind your words. I know the ways in which grief has dimmed my vision, and darkness made me think the dawn would never come. I suspect Bartimaeus knew about that as well. I hope he will be your encourager and strength, and that God will give you new eyes and a vision of hope.
God’s peace be with you,
Mike+
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