Homily Notes | 1.15.2012 | English

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, B

My Brothers and Sisters,

On the occasion of this Sunday’s Gospel, John spoke to two men in particular who made a decision to follow Jesus. When they asked Jesus where he was staying, Jesus answered in a few words which were full of warmth and welcome. “Come and see”, he said. The evangelist does not tell us what transpired when they went with Jesus to his home. Did he speak to them at length about the kingdom of God? Did they dine with Jesus? Whatever happened, they left full of excitement and a sense of commitment. Andrew  was one of the two. He was so thrilled that he rushed off to tell his brother, Simon Peter, that they had found the Messiah. So, at the center of all four Gospels is the person of Jesus. In today’s passage John the Baptist is like a light shining on Jesus so that others could see him and begin to grasp who he is. Andrew was not content to keep Jesus to himself. He felt compelled to invite his brother to share the good news with him. The Church in her many centuries of tradition has continued the role of John the Baptist. To us today that tradition has pointed out Jesus as our Savior, as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. We have heard the invitation of Jesus, “Come and see where I stay.” The invitation has led us within the walls of our spiritual home, the Church. We know what happens here. Jesus through the Scriptures speaks to us and proclaims the kingdom of God. Jesus dines with us, sharing with us the spiritual supper of his body and blood. What then is the next step? Are we eager to out to find someone with whom to share the good news? Perhaps some member of our family or a friend no longer comes to Mass. Maybe there was a misunderstanding, feelings were hurt, and the result was a rupture with the Church. With the eagerness of Andrew we should go to our spiritual brother or sister and gently invite them to return to the practice of their faith. Many of us we are afraid of responding to the call because of rejection or persecution. Yet, God’s call sometimes disrupts our comfortable lives. But if God wants us he will keep calling, like he did Samuel, as long as there’s a chance we might respond. Sometimes we need help in knowing what God’s saying, sometimes we need to be pointed in the right direction, sometimes we need confirmation from others. The vocation of John the Baptist can and should continue in us. The eagerness of Andrew should be part of our lives as Catholics. To others we should always be ready with the invitation: “Come and see where Jesus stays.”

Father. Yves Geffrard