Second Sunday of the Year (B)

 Homily (Reflection) for the Second Sunday of the Year (B) (17^th January, 2021) on the Gospel

 

1Sam 3:3-10.19;

Ps 39:2.4.7-10. (R. vv.8.9);

1Cor 6:13-15.17-20;

Jn 1:35-42.

One day as I stood at a motor park waiting for vehicle plying the direction I was going, I noticed among other things that various vehicles were coming into the park and many also leaving. The vehicles that were coming in and those that were leaving had their engines on. However, there were few that could only be moved by either being pushed or pulled. There were also some vehicles in that park that have been at one place for a long time without any form of movement.

Topic: …Look, Here is the Lamb of God! (Jn 1:36).

Today, I would like us to reflect on our journey towards our creator as Christians. We read from the Acts of the Apostles: “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Some Christians are just like parked vehicles. They are what and where they were yesterday, and may be in that condition for the rest of their sojourn in this valley of tears, cf. Ps 6:6; 42:3; 80:5; 102:9; Lam 2:18.

Our journey towards God is a complex one. But in this homily, we shall look at just some of the things that make it up based on the gospel reading.

In Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans we read:

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. But how are they to call on the one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our message?’ So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ (Rom 10:13-17).

Today’s gospel reads in part: “The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus” (Jn. 1:35-37). John the Baptist’s exclamation was the starting point for Andrew and the other disciple’s movement towards Jesus.

They set out for something. Hence when Jesus turned and asked them: “What are you looking for?” they replied: “Rabbi ... where are you staying?” (Jn 1:38). Jesus said to them “Come and See” (Jn. 1:39). The question at this point is why did Jesus not just give them his address but asked them to come and see for themselves? It was necessary for them to encounter Jesus.

The encounter with Jesus brought about transformation. Saint Peter wrote on our call as Christians: “You have been born anew, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God” (1Pt 1:23). Christians ought to mature and produce fruits.

The gospel further reads:

One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus … (Jn 1:40-42).

John’s testimony ignited the two disciples. They in turn ignited others. It is important to consider among other things whether we have really encountered Christ and secondly whether we bring people to God or scatter those already gathered? Jesus warns, “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters” (Matt 12:30; Lk 11:23).

Bible Reading: Acts 2; Jas 1: 22, 25; Rom 10:5-21.

Silent Prayer: Do you gather with Christ or scatter?

Let us Pray: Lord, on our own, we can do nothing. Help us to encounter you and to bring others to you – Amen.

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