Come and See
Listening to the Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. And kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth.
Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Listening to the Word
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
Today's Gospel passage from John 1:35-42 invites us to reflect on the profound and transformative nature of responding to God's call in our lives. This passage shows the beginning of the disciples' journey with Jesus, which holds timeless lessons.
It is mandatory to underline the first two disciples whom Jesus called to follow Him: Andrew and John, fishermen from Bethsaida. Before becoming disciples of Jesus, Andrew and John were disciples of John the Baptist who came as a witness to testify and prepare the way for Jesus's coming. Hence, as John's disciples, they would have known about Jesus, but knowing about Him was not enough. They wanted to know Jesus personally and see Him for themselves. So when they heard John say as Jesus passed by, "Behold, the Lamb of God," they did not hesitate to go after Him. They followed Jesus boldly and without delay.
When Jesus turns and sees them, he asks a simple yet profound question: "What are you looking for?" The disciples respond with another simple yet powerful question: "Rabbi, where are you staying?" In asking this, they express a desire to be in the presence of Jesus, to know Him more intimately. They thirst and long for Jesus, the Lamb of God.
Jesus responded to them, "Come and see." These words are an invitation that echoes through the ages. "Come and see" does not refer to a geographical or a physical location but more to an invitation to enter into a relationship with Him, to experience the depths of His love and teachings.
This Gospel passage teaches us that our encounter with Jesus is a continuous process of getting to know Him, following Him, and being transformed by His presence in our lives. It's an invitation to "come and see" the beauty of His teachings, the depth of His love, and the hope He brings.
Andrew, one of the disciples, immediately goes to his brother Simon and declares, "We have found the Messiah." Andrew's response is a model for us. When we encounter Jesus and experience His transformative power, our natural inclination should be to share this joy with others. We become witnesses of truth and sharers of love we have found in Christ.
In the passage, Jesus looks at Simon and gives him a new name: Cephas, which means Peter. This 'renaming' symbolizes a new identity and a new purpose. When we respond to Jesus' call, He transforms us and gives us a new identity as His disciples. After experiencing "come and see" in Jesus, our lives should change and transform us into better and holier disciples.
May the grace of God guide us on this journey of faith, and may we, like the disciples, respond wholeheartedly to the call of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Reflection Questions
Gospel Reflections
Beyond the Gathering: Loving Through Conflict
Allowing Jesus to Change Us
