WEEK B - O2 John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God." The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus 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?" He said to them, "Come, and you will see." So they went and saw where Jesus was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah", which is translated Christ. Then 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.
JOHN 1:35-42
In today’s gospel, we hear the disciples’ following transition from prophets to the Messiah. The prophet, John the Baptist, exclaims that Jesus is the Lamb of God to his disciples. Upon hearing how their master was exalting Jesus, they followed Jesus. Seeing his new followers, Jesus asked them what they were looking for. The disciples were looking for their “Rabbi” or teacher, which they found in Jesus. Jesus told them “Come, and you will see.” One of the two disciples, Andrew, found his brother and told him that he had found the Messiah or Christ who will be the Savior and brought Simon to meet Jesus. There, Jesus changed Simon to Cephas or Peter which in Greek means rock (hinting to Peter’s future role).
John the Baptist was a great man by his own right, but his disciples followed Jesus as he was the Messiah (or Savior) who would be able to teach them directly God’s words. As Catholics, we are lucky to know that Jesus is Christ, the Savior. With that privilege, we need to follow Jesus and be like Peter, the rock on which God builds his church and spread his love to others.
“Come, and you will see”. With those simple words, men who will be great saints followed Jesus. When you hear Jesus’s message what will you do? Will you just be an observer and watch Him pass by or will you hear His word and follow Him and His teachings to see what He has in store for you?
Responsiveness – The quality or state of being responsible as in moral, legal, or mental accountability. Following Jesus does not mean dropping everything you have. It means listening to His teachings and acting on it. How will you respond to Jesus’s call to be His disciple? This week, respond to Jesus’s teaching by showing others His love. Do something sweet for a stranger or make someone smile.
“Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.” (John 1:40)
Dear Jesus, in these trying times where sin seems to be all around us, give us the courage and foresight to respond to Your call to be followers of Your teachings so that we can spread the Good News as well as Your love to all those around us. Amen.
