What are you looking for?
In the Gospel of John, Andrew is the first of the apostles to encounter Jesus, along with another disciple of John the Baptist. We hear, “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.” (Jn. 1:38-39a)
In the Gospel of John, Andrew is the first of the apostles to encounter Jesus, along with another disciple of John the Baptist. We hear, “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.” (Jn. 1:38-39a)
At his first Sunday address as our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV said, “Today, brothers and sisters, I therefore have the joy of praying with you and all the People of God for vocations, especially those to the priesthood and consecrated life. The Church has such a great need for them!”
We have a great need for them in the Diocese of Saginaw as well! We have been praying for an increase in vocations— 20 seminarians by 2030. Last year, we unveiled our three-point vocation plan: Beg, Form, Call. We are begging the Lord through our prayers, encouraging parishes to form vocation teams to help promote a culture of vocations at the local level and encouraging personal invitations to discernment.
In the survey for 2025 ordinands, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) reported that 89 percent of those getting ordained this year said they were encouraged to consider the priesthood by someone in their life, such as a parish priest, friend or fellow parishioner. When we encourage someone to be open to priesthood or religious life, we simply plant a seed. The Holy Spirit can take care of the rest.
Jesus’ question, “What are you looking for?” is the essential question for anyone discerning a vocation. Every vocation in life is about finding what we are looking for. Andrew saw something in Jesus that resonated with his heart. This question of Jesus is given to every man or woman.
A vocation is a call to generous service, a call to love. It is also a call to satisfy the deepest desires of our hearts. Andrew found what he was looking for— then he invited others to discover what he had found.
After Jesus asked the question, Andrew and the other disciple asked, “Teacher, where are you staying?” The Lord said, “Come and see.” When Andrew made the decision to go where Jesus was staying, he discovered his vocation in life. To any man or woman discerning a vocation, I ask you to also go where Jesus is staying. Andrew was able to respond to Jesus’ call because he first encountered the love of Jesus for him. Andrew was initially attracted by Jesus’ words, but then when he was in his presence, he knew that he was called to follow.
The same survey indicated that three-quarters of responding ordinands participated in Eucharistic adoration (78 percent) on a regular basis before entering the seminary, as compared to 72 percent who prayed the Rosary, 48 percent who participated in a prayer/Bible group, and 41 percent who engaged in lectio divina.
If you are discerning a vocation, I encourage you to spend time in Eucharistic adoration. Dive into the Word of God through a Bible study or lectio divina.
Jesus wants you to find what you are looking for. Look to Jesus. Follow Jesus. Love Jesus. Trust Jesus. He has a beautiful plan for your life.
Father Andy Laframboise is pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Reese and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish in Vassar and director of priestly vocations. He holds a licentiate in Sacred Theology in Marriage and Family Studies from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.
