Reflection for 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20
Gospel: John 1:35-42
Sometimes it seems hard to find any good news (especially in the past year 2020)…all we have to do is read the newspaper, turn the TV news on or listen to the news on the radio and we are bombarded with “bad news”. Well I have some good news for you…or better said, I have some great news for you. Jesus Christ is our brother!
You are probably thinking: “I know that.” But, have you thought what it means that Jesus is our brother? I know a little something about brothers, having two of them…having grown up together, they know me, know how I think, feel…understand me…willing to help me…they are brothers that I can talk with, confide in…but they can’t give me what Jesus can…that is divine life, a life in Christ.
In today’s gospel, Andrew finds Jesus and what does he do?…finds his brother Simon and tells him. Now that’s a brother! St. John Chrysostom wrote about today’s gospel: “Andrew stayed with Jesus a short while and learned much talking with him, but he does not keep the treasure for himself, but went quickly to look for his brother and share it with him.” Think for a moment, when did you discover our brother Jesus?
Maybe you will think of a clear defining moment that marked your discovery of Jesus. Maybe your discovery has been over the course of a lifetime. Maybe you can point to specific experiences in your life that were discoveries of Jesus for you.
We find Jesus in the sick, the dying, those in prison, the unemployed, the homeless, the poor etc. As Archbishop Fulton Sheen said that you will find divinity where you least expect it.
All three readings today concern vocation. The English word comes from the Latin, meaning “a calling” or “a summoning” All human beings are called by God to share in God’s divine life (CCC356). This is why Jesus became our brother, so we may share for all eternity in his divine life.
Let’s not miss “the call” from Jesus. Every day he calls us. If we are too busy or distracted, we will miss him. It took Samul in today’s first reading, three tries, before he discerned that God was calling him….and then only with the help of Eli – who already was in tune to the voice of God.
Thank you Jesus for becoming our brother and help me respond to your call to serve you in the least of our brothers and sisters.
May God bless us always!
Deacon Mike