Reflection for January 4, Wednesday before Epiphany: John 1:35-42

Gospel: John 1:35-42

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 he 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.

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Reflection:

Would you respond to Jesus if He calls you? The call of Jesus comes in so many ways. He would indirectly call you using a friend, a written commentary, an event in your life and there are many more ways when the Lord calls.    

We have to respond when Jesus calls us, we must not ignore His call. What is the centerpiece of Jesus call? It’s always to walk away from sinfulness. Therefore, when God calls us it’s an offer to take away our problems, problems that we create for ourselves brought about by our sinfulness.     

Let us respond to this call of Jesus and we would see that little by little there will be less sin related problems in our life. Problems that we create for ourselves because we refuse to hear the call of Jesus.  

What else would happen when we respond to Jesus call? We will know more about Jesus and His life. There would be strengthening of our faith and we will have a sturdy wall to lean on whenever we pass through the many challenges of life.  

In our gospel when Andrew and his companion heard John said: “Behold the Lamb of God.” The phrase uttered by John struck a chord in them that they decided to follow Jesus. As they were following they asked Him: Where are you staying?” And Jesus gave them a very meaningful response by saying: “Come and you will see.” (John 1:39)  

This is also what Jesus is telling us, come because you will discover more of me. Come because I am here to help you carry whatever burdens that you have. Come for I will walk with you from now on. – Marino J. Dasmarinas