REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR THE 2ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR, B.
THEME: A CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP
BY: Rev. Sylvanus Amaobi.
(1st Reading, 1 Sam. 3:3-10, 19; 2nd Reading, 1 Cor. 6:13-15,17-20; Gospel, Jn. 1:35-42)
Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
THE CALL OF SAMUEL AND ELI’S DISCERNMENT
ALSO RECOMMENDED: SATURDAY HOMILY – 1ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME / YEAR B
We recall that Hannah was barren. She prayed to God at Shiloh for the gift of a child and promised to give back the child to God to be His servant if God answered her prayers. Hannah conceived and bore a son whom she named Samuel. She brought the child to Eli and dedicated him to the Lord as she promised. While helping Eli at the temple as his servant, the Lord called Samuel.
In the first reading, we heard the details of Samuel’s call. When the Lord called Samuel, he did not immediately recognize that it was the Lord calling him. He did not recognize the voice of the Lord. Instead, he thought it was Eli, his master calling him. This is because the word of the Lord has not yet been revealed to him (1 Sam.3:7). It took Eli’s discernment to know that it was the Lord who was calling Samuel. This is significant. In our spiritual journies and in search of our vocations in life, we need direction, counsel, and advice. Most often, it is difficult to discern the voice of God alone as an individual. Like Samuel, we are confused about who is calling us and what direction the call leads us to. Therefore, we need people to help us discern God’s voice. We need the guidance of our parents, teachers, mentors, spiritual directors, and counselors in our daily search for our true vocation. This is imperative.
RESPONDING TO DISCIPLESHIP MISSION
In the Gospel, we saw John the Baptist fulfill yet another of his mission, pointing Jesus Christ out to people and testifying for Him. John the Baptist was born to prepare the way for Jesus Christ. He was the forerunner, herald, and messager who would show the people Jesus Christ. As we read in the Gospel (Jn 1:35-42), while John was standing with two of his disciples, Jesus walked by. And referring to Jesus Christ, he said to his disciples, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” With his testimony about Jesus Christ, John’s disciples were moved to follow Jesus, know where He lives, and most probably know more about His person. That is the mission of the disciple.
As Christians, we are called to be heralds and messengers of Jesus Christ. We are called to be disciples and fulfill the mission of pointing Jesus Christ out to people. We might ponder on these questions to help our reflection. Are we responding to the disciple’s mission? How often do we share our faith and faith journies with people? How many people have we brought to Jesus Christ for a divine encounter? How many of our immediate family members, colleagues in our workplaces, friends, and acquaintances have we pointed Jesus out to? John the Baptist pointed Jesus out to his disciples and testified that He is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world (Jn. 1:29). Let us follow John the Baptist’s lead here.
Andrew, on his part, became a messenger of good news too. After meeting Jesus and learning that he was the Messiah, he brought the message to his brother, Simon. He told him, “We have found the Messiah.” He did not stop at telling him; he brought him to Jesus. Let us be committed to sharing our faith with people and bringing them to Jesus for a divine encounter and experience. Let us take it as a challenge. Invite someone today to worship at your Church, for that can initiate a joyful spiritual experience and kickstart a conversion and redemption story. Remember, Andrew brought Simon to Jesus Christ, and there was a faith experience that led to a change of name, signifying divine mandate and responsibility. Simon became Cephas translated Peter, a rock upon which the Church was built (Mt. 16:18).
Always remember that Jesus loves you!
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