Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Gospel B

The next day John was there again 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. 

· The title “Lamb of God” prepares for the future sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to take away our sins.

· We know that one was Andrew. Who was the other? John the future apostle/evangelist. Andrew and John were friends, fellow fishermen from the same village.

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." 

· When have I heard Jesus say the same to me? What was my response?

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon.  

· What do you think Jesus shared with them? Would it not have been the experience of the Father’s love and the outpouring of the Spirit upon Jesus? Could it have been his vision for ministry in response to the Father’s call to him?  Jesus revealed the Father’s love for him and for the world as well as God’s plan.

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 Anointed).

· Andrew was evangelized by Jesus and in turn went to witness what he experienced to his brother and brought him to Jesus.

· Is this not what God is asking us to do? When was the last time we witness God’s love for us to another person and led them to Jesus?

Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Kephas" (which is translated Peter). 

· Jesus gives him a new name because he will have a new mission to undertake as a future disciple and apostle. He will called to be the “rock” on which Jesus will build his Church.

· As you reflect on this passage, what is God saying to you? What will your response be?

· This is the beginning of a new year. What will be “new” in your life which will reflect your response to what God is doing in your life?