2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B - 17/1/2021 - Gospel: Jn 1: 35-42
The First Two
There were two of John the Baptist's disciples who followed Jesus. They asked him where he lived. Jesus told them 'come and see'. This short and sharp answer had only three words, and that involved two verbs: 'come; see'. The verb 'come' is an act of moving. Without coming there was no commitment. Coming is a personal commitment to act upon the invitation. In this case it meant coming to see where Jesus lived. The two disciples left behind where they once were familiar with and moved to a new place. Coming to a new place requires to observe, to see. There was not much to see because Jesus once said 'The Son of Man has no place to lay his head' Mt 8,20. There was nothing to see, no castle, no property, no possession. The whole universe is Gods' creation. In his divinity Jesus is Master of the entire universe; in his humanity Jesus owned nothing. What Jesus owns is invisible for those who have no faith in him- his unconditional love for mankind.
Coming to a new place, the first impression made tremendous impact on the disciples. Andrew was surprised to see Jesus' simplicity of life. Those who love simplicity of life would need only essential things for living. They would love spiritual values above material values. Because there was not much to see, then listening was an alternative. There was plenty of listening. The text said 'They stayed with him the rest of that day. It was about the tenth hour'. The art of listening requires openness, and that leads to decision making. The two disciples came to see Jesus, and stayed with him for the rest of that day. We know for sure, Andrew became Jesus' disciple. Jesus, in his public ministry, told his disciples that seeing him was a gift, God's grace, because 'Many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it' Mat 13,17.
We are invited to be Jesus' disciples at our baptism when our parents or friends brought us to Church. On our behalf, they offered us to Jesus. They knew it was a good thing to do. It was an action of love. They made claim, that Christ was our Saviour. We grew up in that faith. We learned to love God. We learned to love life. We learned to love others, and God was the final goal in life.
The two stayed with Jesus for a long time. Listening for a long time is possible. We all have had that experience when we met a close friend, or someone whom we love. The conversations could last for hours. Topics of the conversation flowed naturally. The conversation would not run out, only we ran out of time. Andrew was delighted to find what he was searching for. The Good news should be shared, and that was exactly what Andrew did with his brother. Andrew shared the Good News with Peter, and he didn't realize that he was doing missionary work. Andrew told Peter that he had found the Messiah, and the two went to meet Jesus, and that changed their lives forever.
We are called to 'Come and see'. We pray to appreciate the invitation, and to listen to Jesus with an open heart.
Coming to a new place, the first impression made tremendous impact on the disciples. Andrew was surprised to see Jesus' simplicity of life. Those who love simplicity of life would need only essential things for living. They would love spiritual values above material values. Because there was not much to see, then listening was an alternative. There was plenty of listening. The text said 'They stayed with him the rest of that day. It was about the tenth hour'. The art of listening requires openness, and that leads to decision making. The two disciples came to see Jesus, and stayed with him for the rest of that day. We know for sure, Andrew became Jesus' disciple. Jesus, in his public ministry, told his disciples that seeing him was a gift, God's grace, because 'Many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it' Mat 13,17.
We are invited to be Jesus' disciples at our baptism when our parents or friends brought us to Church. On our behalf, they offered us to Jesus. They knew it was a good thing to do. It was an action of love. They made claim, that Christ was our Saviour. We grew up in that faith. We learned to love God. We learned to love life. We learned to love others, and God was the final goal in life.
The two stayed with Jesus for a long time. Listening for a long time is possible. We all have had that experience when we met a close friend, or someone whom we love. The conversations could last for hours. Topics of the conversation flowed naturally. The conversation would not run out, only we ran out of time. Andrew was delighted to find what he was searching for. The Good news should be shared, and that was exactly what Andrew did with his brother. Andrew shared the Good News with Peter, and he didn't realize that he was doing missionary work. Andrew told Peter that he had found the Messiah, and the two went to meet Jesus, and that changed their lives forever.
We are called to 'Come and see'. We pray to appreciate the invitation, and to listen to Jesus with an open heart.
Written by Fr Vũđình Tường
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
