Attachments of Life

Today’s Gospel Text: The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples; 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, "What do you seek?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" 39 He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying; and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter). John 1:35-42

Reflection: Just a little while ago I received a phone call from a friend who shared of how their two year old pet died and the family is in tears of missing the dear one and every look at the empty cage leads to more pain and agony.

As we grow through life we often grow in attachment to things, to peoples, to pet ideas and the many activities of life. 

The secret of attachment is familiarity and comfort, security and momentary peace, the filling up of a deep inner void and emptiness.

The important or the precious things of life gain greater meaning and affection than the lesser things of life.  Here the greater and the lesser is each ones subjective interpretation of things.

How difficult it is to let go of someone so close and dear to us, at times it fills us with such a big void and vacuum that we begin to wonder how we will every live without the other.  It is painful and often the pain sets the lachrymal glands to over work.

It could be much easier to give what is not yours and to be detached from it.

In the Gospel text we have John the Baptist with two of his disciples and yet he lets go of them so easily; an act of perfect detachment for a cause which is noble and true.

Nothing is more important for a perfect disciple than to see how his master is pleased and at the same time carrying the genuine concern for their own.  We could have Masters who could sacrifice someone else’s life and can be perfectly detached from others for their self gain.

If only, each one knew why they are on this earth, to please whom; whether self, others or God, then they would not be holding on to things material or abstract, neither to individuals nor to pets.

What is more they will lead those, who are with them, with godly wisdom and help and encourage them to seek God’s glory rather than their own glory.

Prayer: "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." Lam 3:24 

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