TO STAY WITH JESUS: 01/14/24 (Second Sunday in Ordinary Time)

​

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." This is Jesus' invitation, not only to His disciples but to all of us. We have to go where Jesus is for us to get to know Him. Where can we see Him? The season of Christmas and all the festivities is now over. The usual celebrations and gift-giving are also done, but do we still know where to find Jesus? We may have been used to seeing Him and feeling Him only during times of joy, but the truth is that He is with us every day.

Not only was He born almost two thousand years ago, but He still lives today in our Tabernacles on the altar. Jesus came down here on earth, and He ascended after His mission but His Real Presence remains – His Precious Body and Blood. This is also the same with the Most Precious Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus which we receive in the Holy Eucharist under the appearance of a white host.

If we want to go where the Lord is, know Him, and learn from Him, let us go there and pray earnestly. Prayer from the heart can be measured in silence and in the depth of what we share with Him about our life as our most intimate Friend forever. We can also find Him by meditating on His Word. Receiving the Holy Sacraments and reflecting on God's Word are the ways to be closer to Him and to journey with Him. Since the first Christmas, we can no longer say that we are orphans and abandoned. Since then and until now, we have been living in the presence of God, and we are continuously being invited to stay with Him, in His heart until now through prayer. It is only through prayer that we can understand what is our true mission in life which we can do with the help and grace of God.

Source: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011424.cfm

Reflection by: Marga De Jesus

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth