A scripture reflection on John 1:35-51
In John’s account, John the Baptist instigates the calling of the twelve apostles. At the sight of Christ, John simply says, “Behold, the Lamb of God” and two of his own disciples left, found their brothers and friends, and told them that they had found the Messiah. When they found Jesus they never looked back. I wonder: If they hadn’t known John, would they have found Jesus? Our faith in Christ calls us to the same mission that John the Baptist had- to tell the whole world the good news that the Messiah has come! Like John, our actions and words should direct those we surround ourselves with towards Christ. If we ourselves have a relationship with Jesus, then people will notice something about us, and they will want the same thing! In our relationships with family and friends, we have opportunities every day to direct others toward Jesus. Whether it’s listening to their troubles and helping where we can, offering to pray with them and for them, or just loving them and enjoying them, we can share Jesus.
Once the apostles find Jesus, they ask Him where He is staying. Christ’s response to the apostles is “Come and see.” Christ invites us to the same intimacy that he invited the first twelve. Every day he is asking us to “come and see” Him in prayer, in the sacraments, in Eucharistic adoration. The twelve apostles’ lives were never the same after their first encounter with Christ. Whenever we encounter Christ, He transforms our lives with His grace – sometimes in little, subtle ways, and other times in more demonstrative ways. Let us give ourselves the opportunity to “come and see” Christ today.
