Gospel: January 4, 2025
January 4, 2025 (Saturday)
Saturday Before Epiphany
Psalter: Week 1 / (White)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 98: 1, 7-8, 9
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
1st Reading: 1 John 3:7-10
Gospel: John 1:35-42
On the following day, John was standing there again, with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and said, “There is the Lamb of God.” On hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. He turned and saw them following, and he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They answered, “Rabbi (which means Master), where are you staying?” Jesus said, “Come and see.” So, they went and saw where he stayed, and spent the rest of that day with him. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard what John had said, and followed Jesus. Early the next morning, he found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means the Christ), and he brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, son of John, but you shall be called Cephas” (which means Rock).
Reflection
“Come and see.”
“What are you looking for?” asks Jesus. The human heart is restless and searches for peace, a peace that only Christ can give. While we can distract ourselves for a while with possessions, activities or status, the big questions of life, about meaning and God, will surface in everyone’s life at some point. Often, they finally surface when we stop all our busy activity and take time to think, or they bubble up when we are forced to stop in the face of some major change or crisis. The first disciples encounter Christ and are asked what they are looking for. Their answer is somewhat enigmatic. They ask Jesus where he is staying. They are really asking to join him, to belong to him, and Jesus welcomes them, and they stay with him. Imagine in your prayer that Jesus is addressing you, saying, “What are you looking for?” Speak to him from the heart and listen to him as he invites you to “come and see.”
