Reflection: John 1:43-51

Memorial of St. John Neumann, Bishop  - John 1:43-51

Today’s Gospel begins as Jesus starts to travel to Galilee.  However, Jesus became distracted when he saw Philip.  Jesus approached Philip, looked intently at him and said: “Follow me.”  Philip had been born in Bethsaida, the same village where Andrew and Peter had been born.  I wonder if Philip had heard Andrew and Peter talk about the man who had changed their lives?  

Philip went to Nathanael and told him: “We have found the one about whom Moses spoke in the law and the prophets: Jesus the son of Joseph.  Nathanael was not at all impressed with Philip’s report.  Rather Nathanael responded by asking: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”  Philip stood his ground and said: “Come, see for yourself.”  And Nathanael went with Philip to find Jesus.

As Nathanael approached the place where Jesus was: Jesus saw him coming toward him and he said: “This man is a true Israelite!  There is no guile in him.” In response Nathanael asked Jesus: “How do you know me?  Jesus replied: “I saw you under the fig tree”.  Immediately Nathanael said to Jesus: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God. You are the king of Israel.” Jesus questioned Nathanael, “Do you believe simply because I saw you under the fig tree?  You will see much greater things than that”!  

Can you remember the moment when you recognized Jesus as the Son of God for the first time?  Take a few moments and remember this sacred event.  What happened in your mind and heart in that moment?  Did you immediately open your heart to Jesus?  Or did you have doubts about what you were experiencing?  Did you experience Jesus’ great love for you?

Today Jesus will call you again and again.  Will you hear His call?  Or will you be so absorbed in yourself that you will not realize that Jesus is calling you?  Today and every day, we are called by Jesus!  I pray that each day you and I will hear and respond to Jesus’ loving call!

Reflection: John 1:35-42

Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious - John 1:35-42

The Gospel begins today with John the Baptist standing with some of disciples. As Jesus walks by them, John says to his disciples: “Behold the Lamb of God!” John’s disciples immediately leave John and follow Jesus. After a time, Jesus realized that these men were following Him. Jesus turns to them and asks them what they are looking for. However, they do not answer Jesus’ question. Instead they ask Jesus where He is staying. Jesus simply tells them to “come and see.”

Today Jesus is asking us: “what are you looking for?” Take a moment and ask yourself: what are you looking for at this time in your life? What do you need or desire? We don’t always take the time to reflect on our desires. Do we simply desire more money, fame, or influence? Or do we long for peace, hope, or contentment? We all have needs and desires! Today, Jesus is waiting to hear our response to His question. I pray that we will open the door of our hearts today and invite Jesus to come and spend time with us.  What a wonderful gift to receive!

Reflection: John 1:27-34

Christmas Weekday - John 1:27-34

A few verses before today’s Gospel reading begins, John the Baptist had been approached by some of the Pharisees.  They asked John: “If you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet, why do you baptize”?  John replied: “There is one among you that you do not recognize: the one who is to come after me; and whose sandal strap I am not worthy to unfasten.”   John is trying to prepare his listeners for the coming of Jesus.  He hopes that the people will recognize that Jesus is the One whose coming they have been awaiting for centuries.  Until this dialogue, many of the people had believed that John may have been the Messiah whose coming they had longed for.

The next day, John caught sight of Jesus and he exclaimed: “Look!  There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”  Then John solemnly adds: “After me is to come a man who ranks ahead of me, because he was before me.”  What humility John must have had!  After all, the crowds had been enthralled by John and his teaching. 

John was very honest with the people.  He said, “I confess that I did not recognize Him, though the very reason I baptize with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.”  What humility John had!  The focus had been on him for quite awhile.  The people had gathered around him anxious to hear him preach, yet none of that was important to John.  He understood that he was the forerunner of the One who would come; and John was content with that role!  John also was honest with the people: “I did not recognize him”!  John and Jesus grew up together!  John who knew Jesus as well as he would know his own brother, yet even he did not realize that Jesus was the Messiah.  Then John testifies: “This is God’s chosen One.”

Do we recognize Jesus as “God’s Holy One?”  Does Jesus have a significant role in our lives?  Or do we “know” in our heads that Jesus is the Holy One but Jesus is not really a part of our lives?  Jesus longs to walk with us every hour of our day!  The question for us is: Will I open the door of my heart to Jesus today and allow Him to walk with me everyday of my life?

Reflection: John 1:19-28

Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops - John 1:19-28

The reading today shifts the focus from Jesus to John the Baptist. Today John is being questioned by some of the priests and Levites. They come and ask him: “Who are you?” John bluntly tells them that he is not the Christ.  Immediately the priests and Levites then ask him to tell them who he is. They ask if he is Elijah; or is he “the One who is to come.”

John clearly tells them that his role and mission is to prepare the way for the Christ. However the priests are not satisfied with John’s response and they continue to bombard John with questions. Finally John states: “I am the voice that is voice crying out in the desert.” John clearly knew and understood his role in the unfolding of God’s plan. John knew that he was not the “One who is to come.” However, he also understood that he would play a part in the drama that would unfold.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we clearly knew what our part is to play in the drama of life? At times in our lives, it is clear what our call and responsibility is. At other times, we may not have any clarity about our role. At these times, I assume that most of us simply keep on going and do what we need to do.

The challenge may be for us to trust that we are doing God’s will simply by striving to be women and men who strive to love others and work for justice in our world. Our efforts may seem small in the bigger scheme of life; however, small acts of love, kindness, and generosity are great gifts that are needed every day in our world.  We simply have to trust that God is at work in us; and God is working through us in the many acts of kindness and live we may do each day. We may not be a star.  However, each and every one of us has the ability to shine light on our world! May we do so every day!

Reflection: Luke 2:16-21

The Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God - Luke 2:16-21

Today we begin a new year according to the secular calendar. And even though much of the rest of the world has begun “de-decking” the Christmas decorations, the Church continues to celebrate the Christmas season. The Gospel for this Feast of Mary, Mother of God is the account of the shepherds traveling to Bethlehem to give homage to the Child Jesus.

How did the shepherds know where to find the child Jesus? In those days, there was no GPS system to guide them on their trip.  However the shepherds did have a brilliant star to lead them to Jesus.  After worshipping the Child Jesus, the shepherds departed and spread “the good news that a child had been born.” Interestingly enough, no one questioned the shepherds’ announcement; rather, everyone who heard the announcement were filled with joy and amazement.

One of the most profound statements in this Gospel is: “Mary kept all these things in her heart and pondered them.” What is in your heart that you ponder? It may be an event, occasion, or encounter that brought you great joy.  Or perhaps you may reflect on a difficulty or challenge in your life. In today’s fast-paced world, we need to choose to deliberately ponder and reflect on our lives.  Pondering is not always easy. When we are hurting or feeling alone, the last thing we may want to do is to reflect on our pain or loss. It may be more comfortable to simply numb the pain. Yet God invites us to ponder our gifts, our joys, and our sorrows.

At various times Mary experienced the gamut of emotions in her life: from great joy to confusion as well as great sorrow or loss.  Mary deeply experienced the joys and sorrows that life holds.  Pray to Mary; her presence and strength may gift us with a peace that will calm our hearts and our minds.