"For the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." // 1 John 4:4
Why do you follow Jesus? I have found myself asking that question many times in my life, and today’s Gospel has me asking it once again.
“And great crowds . . . followed Him” (Matthew 4:25).
I am a follower of Jesus. I am a member of that great crowd. But why?
Do I follow Him because my heart longs for the truth of Who He is? Because I know His love and desire to return it?
Do I follow Him because I have heard and believed that “the Kingdom of heaven is at hand” (v. 17), so I leave behind what is not of Him and give Him all I am?
Do I follow Him because, like the people in the Gospel, I have seen the great works He has done and believe because of them, or because I want the same for myself?
Do I follow because I was once in darkness and now I have seen the great light (v. 16); and I desire to be led from darkness and death to light and life?
The answer to all of these is, yes.
I follow because I am a sinner, repentant and seeking mercy. I follow because I have seen and believe the marvelous works He has done and know His desire to heal me as well.
I follow because He is the Light that shines in the darkness of my heart.
I follow because the One Who is in me is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
I follow because I belong to Him and, in Him, I conquer the powers of evil that try to tempt me away from the one whom I serve with fear and rejoice before Him (Psalm 2:11).
Sister, why do you follow, and where is He leading you?
He is the Light that shines in the darkness of my heart. // Sister Maria FatimaClick to tweet
Sister Maria Fatima grew up in Rhode Island and entered the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in 2005. She holds a MA in Theology from the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity. Sister is in her eleventh year of enlightening middle school minds and drawing hearts to Jesus while teaching religion and history. She currently resides at the motherhouse in Ann Arbor, MI, having previously taught in Texas, Florida, and Ohio. She is a contributing author to our Lent devotional All She Had.
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