Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious, January 4, 2024
- Denise Lanik
- Jan 4, 2024
- 4 min read
Gospel
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 he 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.
Reflection
*Note: A person by the name of Yours Truly posted a comment giving great advice, please make sure to read below.
He said to them, "Come, and you will see."
This Gospel is where Andrew and John were first introduced to Jesus by John the Baptist. Can you imagine the "awe" at the realization of being introduced to the Messiah. The One Who they have long awaited. Then Andrew was so excited to have met Jesus that he wanted to share the news with his brother Simon Peter, who later becomes our first Pope. So this Gospel is where Jesus starts to choose His disciples. Have you ever wondered how He chose, who He chose?
Every time I hear this Gospel, I cannot help but think about the "Come and See" Retreats that are put on by the Redemptorists for young men to discern their vocation. One day at the end of June, I remember going to the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Conference in Houston at the Vietnamese Monastery. Bishop Cahill was talking with the youth and it was announced there that the high school youth were invited to a "Come and See" Retreat. These "Come and See" Retreats are also put on all across the World by various Religious Orders and Dioceses, but this one stood out to me, because it was the first time I had ever heard of such a thing. What a wonderful idea to have a Retreat to help young men see what Religious life is all about.
I spoke with Father Anthony Viet Nguyen, C.Ss.R., Vocations Director for the Redemptorists and Father Thomas "Aquinas" Hoang, C.Ss.R., the Associate Vocation Director. They said that they just had a "Come and See" Retreat December 27-31, 2023 in Dallas, Texas.
Father Thomas Aquinas said that the "Come and See" Retreats allow the young men to experience for themselves what life is like at the monastery, and how the priests go about their days. They have Mass daily and then have other activities and meals. The retreat is where each individual can have a personal encounter with Jesus.
When I asked Father Aquinas if it was through a "Come and See" Retreat that he found he was called to the priesthood, he said, yes. He went to four of the "Come and See" Retreats through out high school, starting in his Sophomore year. There was a Father or a Brother that came to their church and would invite them. One Brother in particular helped him to see that he may have a vocation, but it was ultimately a call from God that he discerned through these "Come and See" Retreats. He made his decision to join the Redemptorists after his Senior year in high school. (My summary of our conversation)
Father Aquinas says this about being a priest, "The best part about being a priest is the ability to offer the sacrifice of the Mass. Knowing that I can partake of the most important prayer of the Church keeps me going."
The "Come and See" Retreats had an important role in Father Viet discerning his vocation to the priesthood. He went to around five or six of them throughout high school, and said they definitely helped to kindle the fire and find his vocation. He liked the brotherhood of the Congregation and also that the Eucharist was in the same house with them during the retreats. He said it is like being up on a mountain or in the desert where God could speak to you.
Father Viet discerned to go into the Redemptorist Congregation the summer before college. He remembers wanting to be a doctor and being able to help his family. He wanted to be able to pay back to his parents all that they did for him. The last "Come and See" changed him. He said he found a peace with the Congregation that he couldn't find in the world. So he went home and told his parents. They were very supportive, but he was scared that he wouldn't be able to help his family. His dad sat him down and said, "who do you think will take care of the family better, you or God?" Father Viet said, I think God will take care of you all better.
Father Viet would like to give a message to all the parents and grandparents out there reading this reflection. He said, "We talk about becoming doctors, engineers, and other professions, but many times leave out the possibility of being a priest or a nun. Give your children a heads up, and let them know that being a priest or a nun can help change the world.
Jesus is still gathering disciples for the priesthood, and PAPA is here to help with our prayers. Here is a link to our Prayer for Priests and a link to our Vocation Prayer. We can do our small part in helping these priests to cultivate vocations by praying for them first, then praying for vocations. May God bless all our priests that go the extra mile to help bring Jesus to God's people.
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