2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time(Cycle B, Year II)
Community Word: Jesus Christ is the Light that leads us to the Truth.
Theme: We are led to the truth when we make Christ known to others.
Promise:“Whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one Spirit with him.”(1Cor 6:17)
Reflection:
In today’s gospel, Jesus asks his would-be disciples: “What are you looking for?”(Jn 1:38). This is the same question that Jesus continues to ask us. What are we really trying to get out of our lives? Is it security, rewarding career, successful relationship, prosperity, popularity, peace? Scripture says that first and foremost, look for God and seek His kingdom first before you are able to acquire other benefits in your life. It was Andrew’s great joy to bring his brother, Simon, to meet Jesus and his desire to share the excitement of findingthe Messiah. Like Andrew, we should be able to bring others to Jesus, the light who leads us to the Truth. “Come, and you will see” (Jn 1:39) is the invitation of our Lord for us to go to Him and experience Him. Accepting Jesus makes us His faithful disciples and we become His witnesses in making Christ known to others.
Jesus called a few men to follow Him and their lives were transformed, sharing the fullness of grace to everyone who believed. Every believer is commissioned to bring people to Christ. The Lord is not asking us to do something impossible or impractical. While it is not easy to be a witness of Christ, our lives have to be patterned after the character of the Lord so that the power of the Holy Spirt, by His gifts and fruit, will enable us to testify boldly to the truth that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Indeed, there is a great need for good and holy men and women, who are in touch with God, to help and lead people in their search for the true purpose and meaning of life and to look to Jesus who is the way, truth and life. Through Jesus, we will understand who God is. Having a deep relationship with Jesus, brings us to a deeper and holy relationship with God. And having experienced Jesus, we become true disciples and we can joyfully lead others to Him.
In bringing Christ to others, we should not be disappointed if people do not show the response that we expect. Renewal and transformation take time and one should exhibit patience, understanding and perseverance along the way. Our job is to lift Jesus up (Jn 12:32) and that takes place when we present the love and forgiving grace of God. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts sin (Jn 16:8, 9). If we try to impose guilt or coerce a conversion, people might reject our message. On the other hand, when we invite others to come to Jesus, telling them of His wondrous love and sharing with them what Jesus has done in our lives, the gentleness of Christ is seen in us and others will be drawn to Him. Anyone desiring to lead another person to Christ needs to be aware of John 3: 8: “The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, and you don’t know where it comes from or where it’s going. So, it is with everyone that is born of the Spirit.” Accepting Christ and be born again is the work of the Holy Spirit. As we respond to the call to minister to others, let us allow the Holy Spirit to do His work through us.
What are you looking for? The Lord is telling us today to direct our invitation to those who are waiting for us to bring them to Jesus. Surely there is one or many out there who need to be invited to ‘come and see’ Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. And as Paul tells the people of Corinth: “Whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one Spirit with him.”(1Cor 6:17). This promise is received by anyone who comes to Christ and believes in Him.
Prayer:
Thank you, Almighty Father giving us your incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. Grant me the grace to be an obedient disciple in your community and church. Give me a sensitivity of heart to understand and grow in love with your Word. Let the light of your Word shine in my being that I will be able to respond to your every calling and testify to Your saving presence in my life. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
1. Recall when the invitation of Jesus started in your life. Do you still hear His calling? Are you responding as in John 1: 38-39?
2. What is my personal response to Jesus Christ? How do I share the life-giving Word to others?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
January 14, 2018 (Sun) – 1Sm 3:3-10/Ps 40:2, 4, 7, 8-10, /1Cor 6:3-15, 17-20/Jn 1:35-42
January 15, 2018 (Mon) – 1Sm 15:16-23/Ps 50:8, 9, 16-17, 21, 23/Mk 2:18-22
January 16, 2018 (Tue)- 1 Sm 16:1-13/Ps 89:20-22, 27, 28/Mk 2:23-28
January 17, 2018 (Wed)-1 Sm 17:32-33, 37, 40-51/Ps 144:1, 2, 9, 10/Mk 3:1-6
January 18, 2018 (Thu)-1 Sm 18:6-9, 19:1-7/Ps 56:2, 3, 9-13/Mk: 3:7-12
January 19,2018 (Fri) – 1 Sm 24:3-21/Ps 57:2-4, 6, 11/Mk 3:13-19
January 20, 2018 (Sat) – 2 Sm 1:1-4, 11, 12, 23-27/Ps 80:2, 3, 5-7/Mk 3:20-21
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
http://www.bldworld.org/2018/01/15/wsc-reflection-for-january-14-2018/
