January 14
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.”
Readings
Reflection
The question that is asked this weekend is a very important one. That question, “What are you looking for?” is asked by Jesus in today’s Gospel when the two disciples come to visit him. In the case of Andrew and Simon Peter, the answer to that question is not too difficult to understand. They are looking for the Messiah- the Lamb of God. This is also true of Samuel in the first reading, of the Psalmist who wrote; “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will,” and of Paul whose letter to the Corinthians reminds them and us that our bodies make up part of Christ’s mystical body–the church.
Samuel is a young acolyte in the church when our first reading takes place. He is seeking ways to connect with God and to respond appropriately when he calls. Eli is his mentor, and he does his job well, instructing Samuel to say the words; “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” These words could benefit all of us, since we need to listen to what God has to say to us both in the Word of God we hear, and in the different ways He speaks to us in the world.
The meeting between Andrew and Jesus is set up when John the Baptist sees Jesus on the street and calls him; “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. These words convince Andrew that Jesus is the Messiah and he quickly goes to get his brother Simon and takes him to see Jesus. Jesus’ question leads them into discipleship because what they are looking for is holiness, and the peace and joy that comes with it.
God is calling all of us. We hear His voice in different ways, through the physical beauty of our world, through the love that people of faith show to each other, and most of all, through the love that Jesus shows us in the cross. We are all looking for something as well, something that brings us the same peace and joy that the disciples experienced. Let us combine our searching with the call of God and bring ourselves to the feet of Jesus where we too, can say; “Speak, Lord; for your servant is listening.”
Keep the faith,
Deacon Dare
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