Eschaton

I'll share a quick reflection my wife and I had yesterday.  First, read yesterday's Gospel:

Gospel Jn 1:35-42

John was standing with two of his disciples,
and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,
"Behold, the Lamb of God."
The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.
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.
It was about four in the afternoon.
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,
was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.
He first found his own brother Simon and told him,
"We have found the Messiah," which is translated Christ.
Then he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said,
"You are Simon the son of John;
you will be called Cephas," which is translated Peter.

Katie asked me why these men might have been so quick to recognize Christ and follow him.  By no means did I provide a complete answer, nor do I provide one here. 

I think it is important to note the longing of the nation of Israel.  They were waiting and waiting for the Savior.  People were looking for him all over the place.  Surprise! 

Interestingly enough, the early Church (read from Acts on) also had this sort of anticipation or expectant waiting - for Christ's second coming.   And...surprise!...that still hasn't happened!  

This eschatological approach is actually quite central to Christianity, though often overlooked, forgotten or conveniently put on the back burner because death and end times make us a little nauseous.  But, let's not forget this necessary sensation of expectant waiting for our final destiny, and the amazement ("We have found the Messiah.") that results.