Contemplating today's Gospel
Today's Gospel + homily (in 300 words)
At that time Samuel was not familiar with the Lord, because the Lord had not revealed anything to him as yet. The Lord called Samuel again, for the third time. Getting up and going to Eli, he said, «Here I am. You called me». Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling the youth. So he said to Samuel, «Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening’».
When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the Lord came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, «Samuel, Samuel!». Samuel answered, «Speak, for your servant is listening». Samuel grew up, and the Lord was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect.
Sacrifice or offering you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not; then said I, «Behold I come».
«In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, to do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!».
I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, o Lord, know.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.
“‘Rabbi’ — which translated means Teacher —, ‘where are you staying?’”
Fr. Lluís RAVENTÓS i Artés (Tarragona, Spain)Today, we see Jesus walking along the banks of the Jordan: Christ is passing by! It was about four in the afternoon when, seeing two young men following him, he turned to ask them, "What are you looking for?" (Jn 1:38). Surprised by the question, they responded, “‘Rabbi’ — which translated means Teacher —, ‘where are you staying?’ … 'Come, and you will see'" (Jn 1:39).
I too follow Jesus, but... what do I want? What am I seeking? It is He who asks me: "Truly, what do you want?" Oh, if only I were bold enough to tell Him, "I seek You, Jesus," I am sure I would have found Him, "for everyone who seeks, finds" (Mt 7:8). But I am too cowardly and I answer with words that do not commit me too much: "Where are you staying?" Jesus is not satisfied with my answer; He knows too well that it is not a bunch of words I need, but a friend, the Friend: Him. That's why He says to me, "Come and you will see", "come all and you will see."
John and Andrew, the two young fishermen, went with Him, "saw where Jesus was staying, and they stayed with him that day" (Jn 1:39). Overwhelmed by the encounter, John will be able to write: "Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (Jn 1:17b). And Andrew? He will run to find his brother to let him know: "We have found the Messiah" (Jn 1:41). "Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas" (Jn 1:42), which means Rock.
Rock! Simon, a rock? None of them is prepared to understand these words. They do not know that Jesus has come to build His Church with living stones. He has already chosen the first two foundation stones, John and Andrew, and has decided that Simon will be the rock on which the whole edifice rests.
And, before ascending to the Father, He will answer the question, "Rabbi, where are you staying?" While blessing His Church, He will say: “Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Mt 28:20).
Thoughts on Today's Gospel
“‘Master, where are you staying? (...) They stayed with him that day’. This divine and human dialogue completely changed the life of John and Andrew, and Peter and James and so many others.” (Saint Josemaría)
“If at the extreme hour of Israel’s oppression in Egypt, the blood of the Paschal lamb had been the key to its liberation, now the Son —the shepherd who became a sheep—stands for the liberation of the mankind as a whole.” (Benedict XVI)
“What Christ entrusted to the apostles, they in turn handed on by their preaching and writing, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to all generations, until Christ returns in glory.” (Catechism Of The Catholic Church, Nº 96)
