The First Disciples

Today's Reflections

January 15, 2012

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Green

1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19
Ps 40
1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20
Jn 1:35-42

The First Disciples
 

³⁵John was [standing] with two of his disciples, ³⁶and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” ³⁷The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. ³⁸Jesus 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?” ³⁹He 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. ⁴⁰Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. ⁴¹He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). ⁴²Then 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).

Reflection:

What are you looking for? God always takes the initiative and makes the first move. God calls us first. God goes out to meet us and does not wait for us to search and search until we can find God. As St. Augustine says, “When we go to God, we do not go to him who hides himself and keeps us at a distance. We go to him who stands waiting for us, and who even takes the initiative by coming to meet us on the road of life.”

Jesus begins by asking the two men the most fundamental question in life, “What are you looking for?” And then he invites them, “Come, and you will see.”

Jesus’ question is addressed also to us. What are we looking for? What are our aims and goals in life? What are we trying to get out of our lives?

People seek security. Some work hard for money so as to make their lives happy and their future bright. Others want success, prominence, prestige, and popularity. Still others desire peace and prosperity.

Knowing that the Father knows everything we need, Jesus advises us to seek God’s kingdom first, and everything else will be given us besides (cf Lk 12:29-31). And if we seek and find Jesus, let us imitate Andrew’s example: introduce others to Jesus.

What are you looking for? A text message says, “Look up and thank God; look down and trust God; look around and find God; and look back and remember God.”