The Invitation That Changes Everything: Follow Me

Join us for a virtual bible study on the Gospel of John! We'll be live every Tuesday at 1pm ET to discuss the chapters we'll read ahead of time. Here's the reading plan:

Feel free to use our Abide in His Love Gospel of John Scripture Study as you dive into this beautiful Gospel either with us or with a friend!!

Check out Week 1 of our virtual bible study and what everyone's takeaways were!

The Voice That Stops Everything

Imagine the scene: a man says, "Follow me," and the people around Him literally dropped everything. They left their nets, their boats, their routines. It's astonishing. What must His voice have sounded like? Compelling? Gentle? Full of authority and love?

“For anyone and everyone who has ever said, ‘I don't know what the voice of God sounds like,’ I just want to invite you to take that to prayer.”

That question — “What does follow me sound like?” — is an invitation. If you don't recognize His voice yet, ask. Pray: Lord, what does "Follow me" sound like for me? Over time, you may begin to notice a voice you had heard but hadn’t recognized. It will be unique to you. You’re not making it up. God can confirm it, and He will, if you keep asking with an open heart.

Friendship with Jesus Is Possible — Even for You

There's a misconception that deep, intimate friendship with Jesus is reserved for clergy, charismatic leaders, or super-spiritual people. That's not true. We are all called to friendship with Him. We were made to be children and friends of God. Yes, traditions, liturgies, and rituals — like the Mass — are important, but their purpose is to lead us deeper into relationship. They aren't ends in themselves.

So how do you grow that friendship? A few places to start:

• Read the Word regularly. Let Scripture become the conversation notes of your friendship.
• Spend time at the Blessed Sacrament — even a few quiet minutes changes you.
• Learn what your "inner room" looks like: a place in your heart where you meet Him privately.

These are not far-fetched ideas. They are simple, faithful practices that invite the Holy Spirit's whisperings into your life so the words you say in worship actually sink into your heart.

The "Come and See" Invitation: Are You Listening?

Another phrase that kept coming up for us was Jesus’ gentle invitation: "Come and see." When you’re discerning big decisions, ministry opportunities, or even small nudges in daily life, ask: is this a "come and see" from Him?

“Are we hearing a come and see from him? Like is there more for us — particularly for you — in that thing?”

Jesus desires deeper relationship with each of us. If you suspect His invitation but aren’t sure, take time to be receptive. Pray, sit with the question, and test it in small ways. The Lord often invites us gradually — enough to step forward, not so much that we run ahead. When we respond, we grow in intimacy and clarity.

The Wedding at Cana: A Miracle That Begins Everything

We also spent time reflecting on Jesus' first public miracle at the wedding in Cana. It’s easy to skim that story, but there are layers that point straight to the heart of Jesus’ mission.

First, consider the jars Jesus used: the large stone water jars used for Jewish ceremonial washings. These were for purifying people and objects. Jesus takes those jars — symbols of ritual cleansing — and transforms what’s inside. He fills them with water and turns that water into wine. It’s not a trivial detail. It’s a sign of something profound: He is redefining purification and fulfillment. His ministry will not abolish ritual but will bring its deepest meaning to completion.

“Jesus did this, the first of his signs in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:11)

Think about how the miracle functions: it reveals Jesus' glory and invites belief. When He begins His public ministry with this sign, He isn't trying to be dramatic for show. He’s revealing a reality: He is present; He provides; He turns the expected into something abundant. The miracle at Cana is the opening note of a symphony — it tells us, “This is who I am and what I will do.”

When God Reveals Himself, Help Us Believe

We can relate to the disciples. They spent intimate time with Jesus and witnessed signs, yet when trials came, they faltered. One betrayed Him; others abandoned Him in His hour. That honest reality is not a condemnation but a mirror for us. Even when we’ve seen God's faithfulness, fear and weakness can creep back in.

So, when God reveals Himself to you — through a grace, a memory of His help, or a clear sign — pray this simple plea: Lord, help me to believe. Remembering past graces rewires our hearts toward trust. When prayer feels dry, remember a time He came through. Recount His promises, and you'll find the darkness begins to break.

Mary’s "Do Whatever He Tells You": Humility at the Threshold

At Cana, Mary’s role is quietly heroic. Some commentators suggest Jesus was effectively telling her, "If I begin now, the clock starts on my hour — the cross." It’s staggering to imagine that Mary, mother of Jesus, heard the implication: beginning His public ministry meant moving toward suffering and ultimately the cross.

“Do whatever he tells you.”

Her response? Trust. She doesn’t recoil. She tells the servants to do whatever Jesus says. As a mother watching her Son step into mission — knowing the suffering that path would bring — she still says, “Yes.” That humility and love point us to the heart of discipleship: saying yes even when the future is costly because you trust who He is.

Nathaniel Under the Fig Tree: You Are Seen

One of my favorite Gospel moments is Jesus calling Nathaniel over. Jesus tells him, "You will see heaven opened," and remembers seeing him under the fig tree. That image is tender: Jesus sees the private places of our hearts. He knows the times we thought we were alone.

“He saw me when I thought I was alone.”

The fig tree becomes symbolic of our secret rooms — where we sit with our honest questions, griefs, longings, and hopes. Jesus doesn't merely pass by; He calls us from there. He invites us to come into the open and promises that we will witness wonders. He’s saying, "I see you. Come, and I’ll show you more." That promise is wild and tender at the same time.

Practical Ways to Tune Your Ear to Jesus

If you want to be more attentive to the voice that changes everything, here are simple, practical practices we've found helpful:

• Ask a clarifying question: "Lord, what does 'Follow me' sound like for me today?" Keep a notebook of impressions and small confirmations.
• Practice the "come and see" test: When you sense an invitation, try it on for a week — a small step — and watch what happens.
• Remember His faithfulness: Make a list of past graces. When doubt or fear rises, read it to remind your heart of truth.
• Spend time in your inner room: Even five quiet minutes before the Blessed Sacrament or in Scripture can restore your capacity to hear.
• Follow Mary’s example: Offer obedience and trust, especially when clarity is partial and the future looks uncertain.

These are not magic formulas. They are faithful practices that create muscles of discernment and trust. Over time, the voice that once seemed foreign becomes familiar.

Conclusion: The Invitation Is Ongoing

The invitation to "Follow me" hasn’t expired. It comes to you in different seasons, with different accents: a whisper in prayer, a tug toward service, a call to leave comfort for trust. And when you respond — even with small steps — you begin to see the pattern of His care: He reveals, He provides, He invites, and He sustains.

So take a moment today. Ask Jesus, "What does 'Follow me' sound like for me?" Sit in the quiet. Remember a time He showed up for you. Let Mary teach you humility and trust. And if you want to go deeper with us, consider joining a scripture study — walking through the Gospel of John has a way of opening ears and hearts like nothing else.

Friends, you can hear His voice. You can have a friendship with Jesus. These are not reserved for a few. They are invitations offered to you right now. Say yes. Come and see.

We’d love to hear what you are discovering. Share your takeaways, experiences of hearing God, or moments when remembering His faithfulness strengthened you. Let's keep walking together.