2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn 1:35-42

After the Master attained Enlightenment, he took to living simply – because he found simple living to his taste. He laughed at his disciples when they took to simple living in imitation of him.

“Of what use is it to copy my behavior,” he would say, “without my motivation? Or to adopt my motivation without the vision that produced it?”

They understood him better when he said, “Does a goat become a rabbi because he grows beard?”

(The story is told by Anthony de Mello, SJ)

To the two disciples of John the Baptist who followed him, Jesus asks, “What are you looking for?” The first thing that Jesus wants to know about those who wish to follow Him is their motivation and disposition. People might follow the Lord thinking that His company would give them honor, glory and power, and that it would be comfortable and secure. Yet, Jesus does not hide anything and He does not make false promises. He invites followers to “come and see”, meaning, to walk with Him and to see and learn for themselves what kind of life they are following.

In another part of the gospel, Jesus clearly says, “Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man does not even have whereon to lay His head” (Mt 8:20), which could mean a life of complete detachment and of no comfort. Yet, the disciples who followed Him must have seen something in Jesus’ lifestyle that impressed them and that led them to say that this man is the Savior. When he saw his brother Peter, Andrew told him that they found the Messiah and he brought him to Jesus.

Today’s gospel invites us to clarify our own intentions and dispositions in following the Lord. What is it that we are looking for? Often we are disappointed because we expect to be problem-free or trouble-free after following the Lord. We painfully realize that in becoming disciples, we have to deny ourselves often and carry our cross daily.

The gospel challenges us to discover for ourselves what is it that somehow convinced the first disciples of the Lordship of Jesus. To do this, we need to stay with the Lord and to walk in His ways. To understand the joy of self-giving, we need to do it. To understand the value of simplicity, we need to live it. To know the meaning of unconditional loving, we need to share it.

Living the ways of God requires us to constantly listen to Him. God’s word is a light to our path. Like Samuel in the first reading, we may not easily recognize the voice of God. Often, we need people like Eli who will help us understand the will of God in our lives. May we find pastors, teachers, ministers and friends who could enlighten our minds and our hearts!

God hath not promised, skies always blue, flower-strewn pathways, all our lives through;

God hath not promised, sun without rain, joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day, rest for the labor, light for the way, grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing kindness, and undying love.

(The poem is by Annie J. Flint)