January 04, 2017

Gospel: Jn 1:35-42
On the following day, John was standing there again, with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and said, “There is the Lamb of God.“ On hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. He turned and saw them following, and he said to them, “What are you looking for?“ They answered, “Rabbi (which means Master), where are you staying?“ Jesus said, “Come and see.“ So they went and saw where he stayed, and spent the rest of that day with him. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon.
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard what John had said, and followed Jesus. Early the next morning, he found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah“ (which means the Christ), and he brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, son of John, but you shall be called Cephas“ (which means Rock).

REFLECTION:
It often happens that we do not know the way that leads to true happiness and the way to eternal life. Who are we to follow?
John the Baptist, the Voice of the Word, tells us to FOLLOW JESUS just as he directed his two disciples.
In a decisive moment the two disciples of John became the disciples of Jesus. Initially, they must have followed more out of curiosity. Eventually, as they heeded the invitation of Jesus, “Come and see,“ they became DISCIPLES, followers of Jesus. They left John, the Voice, to follow the WORD as their new Rabbi (Master)! They remembered well even the time of their decision–it was 4 o’clock in the afternoon. They remembered for it was a turning point in their lives!
This same Jesus calls for followers even today. Can we remember when we felt the Lord calling us to follow him more closely? Can we remember the moment we truly decided to become his Disciples? When we spend enough time with the Master we cannot but be transformed! Are you ready to commit your life to Jesus as your Master?