Come and You Will See

01-17-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. Arul Doss

Dear People of God,

Sincerely I thank all those who helped to remove Crib decorations in all our three Churches. I could see your love, enthusiasm, dedication and commitment towards the running of our three parishes. It is really a great of moment of life in USA and appreciate you all.

In this second Sunday of ordinary time, we hear the voice of God louder as always, inviting us to be his disciples. Today, the liturgy of Word of God reminds us that God’s call is real and that, God knows and calls us personally by our names. Thus, it encourages us to respond effectively to this call with our body, soul and spirit.

Our first reading taken from the book of Samuel recounts the dramatic call of Samuel. Life is full of God’ voice. As a father, he speaks to, and calls us to his service every day. Like Samuel, we must always be ready to say: “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” However, the only problem is that most times, we are too busy or always in a hurry, that we hardly have time to listen to Him. So, we need to be disposed at all times to listen to God. Because our life on earth a vocation given by our loving God.

The second reading of this Sunday is part of “Paul’s moral theology.” Paul reminds us: “Your bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you since you received him from God.” This sin slows down one’s spiritual and moral growth. Consequently, it slows down the ability to respond effectively to God’s call. Through this, Paul draws our attention to the relationship between morality and spirituality. The spiritual is affected by the physical. Also, Paul reminds us that we completely belong to God. Preserving ourselves for God, is a very important way of responding to his call. It a way of offering ourselves totally to God as, “a living and pure sacrifice” (Rom 12: 1).

The Gospel of today presents us with the early ministry of Jesus. Testimonies about him continues especially from John the Baptist. He directs all true disciples to Christ: “Behold the Lamb of God!” Today’s gospel challenges us to reflect on our response to God’s call. As he said to his first disciples, so he says to us: “come and see!” Andrew invited his brother Peter with the same words: “come and see the messiah.” Also, after encountering Christ, the Samaritan woman invited her people with the same word: “come and see the Lord” (Jn 4, 29).

These are invitations to follow Christ. Responding to this invitation is a daily affair that requires the whole of our being. God calls us by our names every day: “come follow me; come and see.” Therefore, like the psalmist our response should be always: “Here I am Lord, I have come to do your will.”

Have a Happy and Blessed Sunday!!
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Fr. Doss