“DIDJA KNOW?”
by Paul Rooney
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (“B”)
January 18, 2009

Q. 511: It seems that God speaks to people through others, or at least uses others, in those early contacts. Is that a theme in today’s readings?

A. 511: Yes, and all of those contacts speak to me of “transformation.” When one encounters the Living God, and all of us do, it is usually because of the mediation or guidance of another human being. It also calls for a special response from us. We are asked to give our entire being to God, and follow his will rather than our own. Let’s see how that plays out in our readings.

First, young Samuel is called by the Lord (1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19). However, it is only when the priest Eli guides him to respond and listen to the Lord that Samuel realizes and recognizes who is calling him. He responded, made himself available to God, and became a great prophet, acting as Israel’s judge and anointing the first two kings of Israel. He was transformed by his commitment to following the Lord.

In our Gospel (John 1:35-42), Jesus is pointed out by John the Baptist to two of his own followers, one being Andrew. They accepted Jesus’ invitation to spend some time with him, and recognized him as the Messiah. Andrew was then the instrument of the Lord in leading Simon Peter to join them in following Jesus. Both left their fishing careers and became great Apostles, vital witnesses to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus which enabled them to continue the mission of Jesus after his Ascension. They had been transformed by their encounter with Jesus.

In your own life, someone guided you to Jesus, and you became a follower and disciple. Now you are part of the same mission of Jesus, because of your own baptism. So who are you leading and guiding to recognize and follow the Son of God? And in what ways are you carrying out that responsibility? The words of the Ethiopian to Deacon Philip still echo in our lives today: “How can I understand unless someone instructs me?” (Acts 8:31).

KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! John the Baptist pointed others toward Jesus, the paschal lamb of God (symbol of redemption at the first Passover). Jesus’ whole life expresses his mission, to serve and to give his life for others (CCC #608). Now it is your turn, as a true disciple of Jesus: who will you assist in transforming their lives? Who will you help to learn to listen to and identify the voice of the Lord?

Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha

(Return to INDEX page of "Didja Know?" series)

(Go back to Deacon Paul's HOME PAGE)

Comments?