II Sunday | Ordinary Time | B 1 Sam 3:3b-10,19 1Cor 6:13c-15a,17-20 John 1:35-42
One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ
Jn 1:40-41.
Dearest brothers and sisters,
As a common understanding, we all know that the word Church initially originates in the Greek ek-kalein [to call – to convoke or being convoked – con – together; vocare – called], which was then translated into Latin as Ecclesia [Church – being called together to]. To say that, as Christians [or Catholics], first, we must realize that identity, which is all summoned for the same reason: Jesus Christ. And, of course, implementing this identity is the mission to proclaim Jesus Christ. This is our vocation as Christians.
What is a calling, and how do we respond to it? Is it from God or ourselves?
Firstly, The story of Samuel’s calling teaches us that listening to God’s Word is an essential part of our vocation. However, listening is not merely staying quiet while someone else speaks. In Samuel’s case, listening involves engaging in a two-way conversation rather than a one-way interaction between speaker and listener. By truly listening, we can learn to respond to God’s calling, as Samuel did when he said, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”
Secondly, In today’s Gospel, John the Apostle describes the vocation of the apostles as a search-and-find act, which means discovering something or someone that is being sought after. The conversation between Jesus and the disciple John the Baptist describes how searching and finding is a divine act of God, who truly loves his lost people. We heard just now: “Jesus turned and saw them … then asked them: ‘What are you looking for? Come, and you will see.” Therefore, we can not claim that our vocation is our human decision without divine intervention. The vocation is both God and human interaction. We must remember in our vocational journey: “What are we precisely looking for?” Is Jesus Christ the Messiah or anything else? Our vocation, therefore, is a joyful act of searching and finding Jesus Christ.
The vocation’s third [and last] meaning is drawn by the joy of the disciple who searches, finds, and then proclaims the Good News. The objective of the vocation and the calling of God is [always] missionary. We are not called only to be Jesus’ followers, having and enjoying many privileges, even sometimes with those privileges, we are then excluding and judging others. Today, Andrew, one of the first disciples who followed Jesus, was joyful and found his Brother, Simon, and told him: “We have found the Messiah — which is Christ.” Again, we are not called to proclaim ourselves but the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to others, starting from the very close person. It is essential to reflect on whether we have shared the Good News with our brothers and sisters or unintentionally caused harm by spreading gossip and negativity. Let’s take a moment to consider how we can support and encourage one another with kindness and compassion.
Discovering our vocation can be a life-changing experience, a missionary act that arises from seeking and finding the Messiah. By listening to God and allowing him to initiate the search for us, we can discover our unique calling and purpose in life. This reminds us that we are all part of a divine plan, and our lives have a greater purpose.
RDHJ23-
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