Gospel: John 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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for Hilda Molloy RIP.
Reflection:
Peace Sunday is celebrated every Second Sunday of Ordinary Time in England and Wales. The late Fr Sonny Ramirez, a Filipino Dominican priest, once said that peace is spelt: J-E-S-U-S. Indeed, Isaiah (9:6) prophesied that the Coming Messiah will be called “Prince of Peace”. Jesus’ ministry stood out from the rest of the rabbis of His time because His ministry turned the world upside down. He introduced God’s Kingdom where the lowly are considered great, where the outcasts and sinners are welcomed, and where there is salvation – not just for many – but for everyone. In today’s Gospel, two of John the Baptist’s disciples followed Jesus and stayed where He was staying. Bishop Robert Barron explains “Then we hear that they “stayed” with Him, remaining where He remains, which is to say within the will of the Father.” Jesus always sought the Father’s will, even to the point of death (Philippians 2:8). Despite the hardships Jesus faced, He was at peace. Following Jesus meant following the way of peace. There is no other way.
- What sorts of activities do you do to stay with Jesus?
- How does Jesus challenge you to be an agent of peace?
- “There is… a need for peacemakers, men and women prepared to work boldly and creatively to initiate processes of healing and renewed encounter… may we strive daily, in concrete and practical ways, to form a community composed of brothers and sisters who accept and care for one another.” (Pope Francis). How can you help in forming a more accepting and caring community?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Through the prayers of Our Lady, Star of the Sea and Mother of Hope, “may we work together to advance towards a new horizon of love and peace, of fraternity and solidarity, of mutual support and acceptance. May we never yield to the temptation to disregard others, especially those in greatest need, and to look the other way; instead, may we strive daily, in concrete and practical ways, ‘to form a community composed of brothers and sisters who accept and care for one another’”. Amen.
