Cycle B - Year II:  

14 January 2024: Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading:        1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19

Second Reading:   1 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20

Gospel:  Please read  John 1:35-42 

"Come, and see!"

St. John is our evangelist for this Sunday, and he tells us about the encounter of Jesus with the first Apostles Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, and an unnamed disciple. They were originally disciples of John the Baptist.

At that time, John the Baptist was standing with some of his disciples. As Jesus walks by them, John says to his disciples: "Behold the Lamb of God!" John's disciples immediately leave him and follow Jesus. (Jn 1:35-36)    

Our Lord Jesus noticed them following Him. So He asked them: "What are you looking for?" They answered Him with another question, "Rabbi, where are you staying?" To which Jesus responded, "Come and you will see." So they followed Jesus and stayed with Him the whole day. This incident is Jesus' open invitation for them to become His disciples.

This encounter by the two disciples with Jesus is a classic scene of a call or vocation. Having experienced the attraction of Jesus, Andrew goes back to inform his brother Simon Peter, "We have found the Messiah!" and brough him to Jesus as well.

What is remarkable in today's Gospel incident is the utter lack of hesitation mentioned in the answer to Jesus' call by His disciples. They instantly become the first disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, leaving everything behind to follow Him and become Heralds of Good News.

Jesus' invitation to "come and see" is a fitting topic of reflection in the light of the new year. "Come and see" is an invitation of Jesus to all of us as well. We are all invited to include Him in our plans for our life for this new year. The Gospel gives us the hope and the guarantee that in Jesus we will be seeing what we are looking for.   

As we follow our Lord Jesus Christ today, are we looking for material wealth, honor or power? Or are we looking to deepen our relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Messiah? Let us answer our Lord with this prayer: "Here I am, Lord. I come to follow You, and do Your will. Amen."     

So we know: Today we are back to the liturgical season of Ordinary Time after a series of solemnities or special feasts following the observance of the Christmas season. And this Sunday is the Second in Ordinary Time.

A brief refresher on the liturgical season. Ordinary Time is a specific season in the Church liturgical calendar which focuses on the life of Christ during His three years of public ministry. There is no particular aspect of the mystery of Christ that is celebrated. Instead, the focus in on the mystery of Christ in all fullness or totality. Ordinary Time is a yearly cycle of 33 or 34 weeks.

Green is the color for this season, which is most associated with growth. Thus, Ordinary Time is viewed as a time of growing in our knowledge and love of Jesus, our Lord, as we reflect on the Gospel proclamation for this season.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!