How Would Jesus Use Social Media?

An unpleasant encounter on Reddit this week made me begin a process I had been avoiding - recruiting new moderators for the Moderation Team. I was avoiding it because I didn't know how to use the tools that Reddit provides for this, and there always seemed to be more urgent things to learn about Reddit. 

I drafted an application, posted about the need and then began to wonder about the criteria I would use to evaluate applicants. Moderation experience?  Location and/or time zone?  Knowledge about the group's subject matter?

I found the answer in the scripture that Rev. Donna chose for us this week.

John 13. 21-35

After he said these things, Jesus became visibly upset, and then he told them why. “One of you is going to betray me.”

The disciples looked around at one another, wondering who on earth he was talking about. One of the disciples, the one Jesus loved dearly, was reclining against him, his head on his shoulder. Peter motioned to him to ask who Jesus might be talking about.  So, being the closest, he said, “Master, who?”

Jesus said, “The one to whom I give this crust of bread after I’ve dipped it.” Then he dipped the crust and gave it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. As soon as the bread was in his hand, Satan entered him.

“What you must do,” said Jesus. “Do it and get it over with.”

Judas, with the piece of bread, left. It was night.

When he had left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is seen for who he is, and God seen for who he is in him. The moment God is seen in him, God’s glory will be on display. In glorifying him, he himself is glorified—glory all around!

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”

We can speculate a lot about how Jesus would use social media if he moved into our neighborhood in 2026. The only thing I know for sure is that however he used it, he would use it with love and grace.  Love one another, he said.  In this world so full of anger, pain, and loss, sometimes the most important thing is simply to be kind.

As a follower of Jesus, I'm always looking for practical ways to follow in his footsteps.  There are lots of other reasons to attend worship on Sunday too - we'll be gathering at the Lord’s table of grace, for example.

Image:  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ibrahim.ID

What Are You After? Jesus Wants to Know!

Our scripture reading this week has us following Jesus as he calls his first disciples:

JOHN 1

The very next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and yelled out, “Here he is, God’s Passover Lamb!  He forgives the sins of the world!” 

John clinched his witness with this: “I watched the Spirit,  like a dove flying down out of the sky, making himself at home in him. I repeat, I know nothing about him except this: The One who authorized me to baptize with water told me, ‘The One on whom you see the Spirit come down and stay, this One will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ That’s exactly what I saw happen, and I’m telling you, there’s no question about it: This is the Son of God.”

The next day John was back at his post with two disciples, who were watching. He looked up, saw Jesus walking nearby, and said, “Here he is, God’s Passover Lamb.”

The two disciples heard him and went after Jesus.  Jesus looked over his shoulder and said to them, “What are you after?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”  He replied, “Come along and see for yourself.”

They came, saw where he was living, and ended up staying with him for the day.

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s witness and followed Jesus. The first thing he did after finding where Jesus lived was find his own brother, Simon, telling him, “We’ve found the Messiah” (that is, “Christ”). He immediately led him to Jesus.

Jesus took one look up and said, “You’re John’s son, Simon? From now on your name is Cephas” (or Peter, which means “Rock”).

As I read, I imagine I am one of the two disciples of John walking behind Jesus.  My friend is with me, hurrying me along as we try to catch up to Jesus.  When Jesus looks over his shoulder, he sees me falling behind, and immediately slows down.  His smiling face shows compassion, not impatience.

When he asks “What are you after?”, I think, “Healing!  Wholeness!  YOU!”  

I wonder how Jesus sees me.  Old?  In pain?  He seems willing to accommodate my slow pace - maybe it is possible that I too could be one of Jesus’ disciples!

How would you answer Jesus?  What are you after?  How do you think Jesus sees you?

If you could see yourself the way Jesus sees you, he would say, "Wow! I'm pleased. I'm impressed. You are remarkable. Here is a friend who is truly impressive. You cause me to catch my breath." We need to see ourselves and each other the way Jesus sees us. When we do, the whole world is charged with the grandeur of God. - John Predmore, S.J.

Illustration by Jim Padgett, courtesy of Sweet Publishing, Ft. Worth, TX, and Gospel Light, Ventura, CA.

Chosen and Marked by My Love

 This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.

Painting by Daniel Bonnell

These are the words that Jesus heard when he rose from the Jordan River on the day of his baptism.  

As a human being, how would he have felt when he heard God's words?  How might these feelings have affected his ministry? 

Do we make space to hear God's words of love and affirmation to us?  How might we respond?  Do we dare?

Song-writer John Bell, who was inspired by the words of Jesus, writes:

Don’t be afraid. My love is stronger than your fear.

When I hear these words, I hear confidence, caring, and authority.  Jesus had no doubts about who he was and what he came to do.  He had no doubts about the power of love to conquer fear.

The good news - Jesus enters into our broken world, takes our brokenness, and invites us to receive his power, love, and the gift of the Holy Spirit…through OUR baptism, perhaps.  Thus begins our journey of transformation and healing. 

I hope that you are experiencing the same affirmation that Jesus of Nazareth received when he rose from the Jordan River, saw the promise of a new day, and heard the voice, “You are my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” From this day forward, may you step forth with courage as you step onward and upward. Your baptism and your call to respond to the needs of the time gives you full authority. 

- John Predmore S.J.