Jn. 1:35-42
The passage from John’s gospel describing how John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God to two of his disciples (followers) is a reminder of our Christian mission. The disciples of John at hearing such a proclamation left John to go and follow Jesus. Just as in another passage of John’s gospel does John the Baptist remark, “He must increase; I must decrease.” We too must lead others to Jesus and be humble enough to recognize the Holy Spirit working through us to spread the good news!
Both Andrew and Simon Peter recognize something important about this person, Jesus. They recognize Him as the Messiah & anointed one in this passage from the high Christological description of Jesus’s identity. How can we drop everything to come follow Jesus? Do we look at our ministry as Christian disciples in the lens of God working through us, or is it all about us and our own self?
The first reading from 1 Samuel, chapter three describes a young Samuel who eventually grew up to be an important judge, prophet & Levite (priest) in the Old Testament. Samuel did not know the voice of the Lord who was calling him in the night. With the advice from Eli, Samuel finally says to God, “Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.” How can we ask the same thing of God in prayer?
We are all called to heed the Lord’s call in all that we do with the gifts & talents God gives us with His Grace in the Holy Spirit. How will you seek to answer the call just as Samuel did & John the Baptist in sending others to go & follow Jesus the Christ?
Let us go forth with our vocation as Christian disciples and lead others to the call to drop everything and follow Jesus, the Messiah, the Teacher, the Anointed one & our Master.
As the responsorial psalm reminds us: Here I am Lord, I come to do your will.
StreetEvangelist 