John 1:35-42

Gospel according to John 1:35-42

John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, there is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he 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 see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated the Christ). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon, son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Reflections

Last week’s Gospel reading about the Three Kings who visited the baby Jesus in Bethlehem informed us that the wise men found Him thanks to their familiarity with the ancient prophecies and the skillful reading of signs of the natural world. They faithfully followed a star that led them to Bethlehem. Having accomplished a life-changing feat, they returned to their countries as emissaries of the new King.

Today’s reading tells us about a different way of coming to know Jesus, which is like the Magi’s journey because it begins with a search, and a leap of faith, however, it differs in that it follows after the testimony of John the Baptist.

At the beginning of his mission, Jesus, now an adult, went to the river Jordan to be baptized by John. When John protested that he should be baptized by Jesus instead, Jesus asked him to let this happen in obedience to the will of His Father in Heaven. During Jesus’ baptism, the Father’s voice could be heard, “This is My beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5). The Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove. Seeing Jesus, John exclaimed, “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” His words implied that Jesus is the Redeemer and the Savior of the world. Moved by the Spirit, John correctly identified the person of Jesus and his ministry.

Consequently, two of John’s disciples, Andrew, and an unnamed disciple, “followed” Jesus, which literally meant that they started to walk behind him until Jesus turned and stopped to start a conversation. This way of accompanying a person of authority was entirely according to the customs and courtesy of the time, whereby potential students of rabbis would accompany their teacher, or the group gathered around the teacher, and the teacher noticing them would decide whether to invite them to his circle.

Facing the two men, Jesus asked them: “What are you looking for?” He wanted to hear from them their idea about who they are looking for and what they are searching for. Instead of answering the question, the two men asked Jesus in a straightforward way: “Rabbi, where are you staying?” Which means, they asked him directly if he would be willing to spend time with them so that they could make his acquaintance and learn from him.

From four o’clock in the afternoon, a time that is usually reserved for some rest and relaxation, or reflection, Jesus spent the day with them. By the following morning, the two men were convinced that John was right. Andrew went straight to his brother, and told him, “We have found the Messiah.” The words sounded mysterious as full of promise, and Simon, John’s brother, returned with haste with Andrew to meet Jesus. Looking at Simon, Jesus affirmed Simon with the words, “You are Simon, son of John. You are to be called Cephas,” or Peter.

Significant to notice that names in this reading reveal the mission of their bearer. Jesus is called the “Lamb of God” and the “Messiah.” Simon is called “Peter,” or the “Rock.” Searching is rewarded by finding and following leads to a mission. The actions occur in the context of Jesus’ baptism, when his identity is confirmed.

Traditionally, in the Sacrament of Baptism, we are confirmed as Children of God. We become members of the close circle of the followers of Jesus, members of the Church. However, to cultivate a relationship with Jesus, we have to get to know him. Like the disciples, we can decide to learn about Him from the Scriptures and from tradition, we can listen to Him through reading his words, and we can dialogue with Him in prayer. It depends on our personal decision if we want to get to know Him and if we want to be close to him.

A sense of purpose that was so strong and so valuable that it was worth every effort and even sacrifice is what the first disciples were longing for. This Meaning, and Reason, had such strong attraction for them that it structured their actions, like iron filings in a magnetic field. They were attracted to the truth, beauty and goodness in Jesus’ words and actions. They wanted to know more about it, follow it, and become its witnesses in the world.

To recognize and to honor our affinity to the good, the true and the beautiful, and to follow it with all our hearts beckons all of us. Whether listening to reason and/or to the wisdom of the heart, the pursuit of Meaning here in our own unique circumstances requires courage, and, sometimes, a leap of faith.