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Olivia M. Bannan

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, JANUARY 14, 2024




Gospel

Jn 1:35-42

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 Jesus 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

"Come, and you will see."


There are virtual tours of homes for sale or rent. We travel to far off places such a Papua New Guinea or swim with the dolphins in the comforts of our living rooms. . Documentaries show how a movie was made, where an author was inspired to write a book. A good book takes us to far off landscapes or times. Google and you will get all the info you need to know whether you want to stay at this hotel or another or buy a product or not. We just merely see what is available. Someone else has done all the work already.


In all scenarios, our search engine finds the results to "What are you looking for?" However, unless we actually are there, we cannot really say we have experienced something. We need to smell the sea air, feel the sand under our toes, enjoy the different scents of a garden, touch the furniture, experience people in the present, or feel the cold or the heat of the season. We need to float in the Dead Sea, see the Tilma of the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe, kneel before the Crucifixion site of Jesus. Then we can say we have experienced it.



What are we seeking in life? What are we looking for? God made us in such a way that we long for Him. Only He can satisfy our deepest longing. (CCC 27) Jesus invites us to "Come and you will see". It is only in being in Jesus that we will find fulfillment and happiness. He invites us to seek Him, no pressure, no demands but gentle nudges to fill the void in our hearts. He never ceases drawing souls to Himself. Seek Him out and then share with others.


"You have made us and

drawn us to yourself,

and our heart is unquiet

until it rests in you."

St Augustine, Confessions


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