the e-Testament
John 1: 35-42
The next day John was back at his post with two disciples, who were watching. He looked up, saw Jesus walking nearby, and said, “Here he is, God’s Passover Lamb.”
The two disciples heard him and went after Jesus. Jesus looked over his shoulder and said to them, “What are you after?”
They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
He replied, “Come along and see for yourself.”
They came, saw where he was living, and ended up staying with him for the day. It was late afternoon when this happened.
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s witness and followed Jesus. The first thing he did after finding where Jesus lived was find his own brother, Simon, telling him, “We’ve found the Messiah” (that is, “Christ”). He immediately led him to Jesus.
Jesus took one look up and said, “You’re John’s son, Simon? From now on your name is Cephas” (or Peter, which means “Rock”).
Prayer
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
(Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer)
Reflection
In today’s Gospel it is John the Baptist who points Jesus out to his own followers; he encourages them leave, to leave their security and branch out into the unknown. Two of them, one of whom was Andrew, left and followed Jesus.
When Jesus turns and asks them what they wanted, their answer is, in my opinion, fascinating; I imagine them to be like deer caught in headlights as they say the first thing that comes into their minds: “Teacher, where do you live?” Notice that Jesus does not give them physical directions or even refer them to some primitive satnav; he invites them to “come and see!” It is an invitation to spend quality time with him in his home. It is an invitation that will lead, ultimately, to Simon Peter becoming an Apostle too.
We are all called to share that intimate experience of Jesus with others that we meet; today is PEACE SUNDAY and, in the light of what we see going on in Syria, Palestine, Israel, Dresden and Paris, we are called today to share Jesus’ vision for peace. We might not be able to do much about the global situation and the international threats that so many millions are living under. We can do something about making a peace a reality in our friendships, our homes, schools, pubs, youth centres; with St Francis we can pray, “Lord make us instruments of your peace.”
Gerry O'Shaughnessy - Salesian Priest