Jesus Calls Us
In his homily for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, Father Hanly reminds us that Jesus calls us first and we then respond – not the other way round – and he explains why that is so important.
Readings for 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
- First Reading: First Samuel 3:3-10, 19
- Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10
- Second Reading: First Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20
- Gospel: John 1:35-42
Homily for 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
You may recall that last Sunday, we celebrated the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. That afternoon, 57 babies were baptized, filling our parish with excitement.
Those present were very happy because they recognized the greatness of the Sacrament of Baptism, the essence of joining the Christian community, being one with Jesus, sharing his exalted status, and becoming a beloved child of the Heavenly Father, one in whom He is well pleased. That was a blissful event.
And today? What is the meaning of today’s Bible reading for us? If we focused on the Sacrament of Baptism last week, this week, we focus on something else – what life as a Christian entails.
In today’s gospel, we see two persons, both disciples of John the Baptist.
One day when John was preaching, he saw Jesus coming close. Looking at him, John said, “Look, this is the Lamb of God. ” His statement carried another meaning: he is the servant of God, Israel’s Messiah.
When they heard this, the two disciples were amazed and began to follow Jesus. Jesus turned to them and said, “What are you looking for?”
They were shy and answered, “Master, where do you live?”
Jesus said, “Come and see!”
Jesus’ words were so simple and natural, just like someone coming across two strangers on the street and inviting them for a cup of tea. But for both of them, this chance encounter changed their lives. According to the Apostle John, they started off and followed Jesus just to see where he lived, but afterwards, they did not leave him, instead, they accompanied Jesus as long as they lived.
This simple story brings us to understand a few things about Christian life. First, Christians are invited by Jesus, it is not a choice we initiate for ourselves. Jesus said, “Come, follow me!” We cannot go to Jesus if he has not called us first. Although we can accept or turn down his invitation – because Jesus respects and protects our freedom of choice – it is not we who invited him, but Jesus who initially called us .
Do you remember what Jesus said to his disciples at the Last Supper: You must not think that you chose me, the fact is, I chose you, I chose you to bear fruit.
This concept is very important, we must be very clear about it, in order that we will not think that by choosing to be a Christian, we are inviting Jesus to help us in every aspect of our life, solving all our personal problems, asking him to share our daily life, so that we can use Jesus to our advantage. According to today’s Gospel, it was not those two who said, “Master, come, follow us,” it was Jesus who said to them, “Come, follow me!”
Although Jesus cared a lot about his disciples, and was willing to live with them, it was not they who invited Jesus into their lives, it was Jesus who invited them to join him in his ministry, to help him save the world, to work with him so that the world will be a better place.
That is why we should always ponder on Jesus words: “I have chosen you to bear fruit.” This means that for Jesus, Christians should serve and work for this world.
Another point to remember about today’s Gospel is that living as a Christian will bring about changes.
After telling the two men “Come and see,” Jesus said, “See where I live.”
When John the Apostle wrote this, he had no doubt that Jesus’ words meant something special. Jesus was not simply inviting them for a cup of tea or just to visit him. In fact, Jesus invited them to live with him, to spend their remaining life with him. In other words, a Christian’s relationship with Jesus lasts eternally.
Do you remember Jesus told his disciples, “From now on, I will not call you servants, but friends.”
Our relationship with Jesus is that of friends, not just good time friends, friends of convenience, when in pain and trouble going to one, and in no trouble going to another. Life as a Christian means that two lives become one, fused into one. In this world, no one – whatever the circumstances, evil – can destroy or break up such a close relationship.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, today we have been given a great opportunity to learn a lot about life as a Christian. During this Eucharistic celebration, it is a good chance for us to thank God and Jesus for inviting us to follow him as his disciples. We should thank Jesus for letting us share his ministry, so that we can live and work with him, to obtain God’s salvation for ourselves and for the world.
Footnote: This homily was delivered by Father Hanly at the Wah Fu Mass Centre of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Hong Kong in 1988.