The Call of the Disciples

Hello, Beloved child of God.

As we begin Ordinary Time this liturgical year, The Gospel for the 2^nd Sunday of Ordinary Time we read John’s telling of Jesus calling the first disciples. On the 3^rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, we read Mark’s recount of the event.

From John’s telling, I have taken five important quotes that we can use to guide of journey of faith.

• “Behold the Lamb of God!” – John the Baptist
• “What are you looking for?” – Jesus the Christ
• “Where are you staying?” – the disciples
• “Come, and you will see!” – Jesus Christ
• “We have found the Messiah!” – the disciples

The conversation between John the Baptist and his two disciples is not written down, we simply read the proclamation from John, ‘Behold the Lamb of God’ and the reaction from James and the other disciple.  

Now John had been speaking of the ‘one who is coming after me’, so through his teachings and example, these two disciples would have placed John as someone who could be trusted, respected and they could listen to.

In the words, ‘Behold the Lamb of God’ John transferred the trust, respect, & authority of his disciples from himself to Jesus.

James and the other disciple must have felt pretty good about following Jesus, embarking on this new journey.
 
It must have been like the times when we are asked to show up at a particular time & place, maybe we are given some hints on what to wear or bring but for the most part we are asked to trust whoever extended the invitation.

It really depends on who is asking for our trust. If it is a loved one or a close friend, your trust level is high, so you most probably depending on their tone and manner you will expect that whatever the outcome, it will be a pleasant surprise.
If it is a person of authority, like a police officer, teacher or boss, it really does not manner what their tone or manner is, your trust is a little less, and you become cautious in your expectation.
You being to prepare yourself for a less than positive surprise. 

How would you feel if Jesus asked you the question,
“What are you looking for?”
James would have heard the stories of Jesus and so would feel that he needed to respond by giving the answer Jesus wanted to hear.   

At this point in the Gospel, Jesus not a close friend, he is a teacher. So, like all students when asked a question under pressure, and they may not be sure of the answer they ask answer the question with another question.
“Where are you staying?”, not sure why they would have asked this, but it may be an attempt to find out what their future may hold. They just wanted to know more.

So Jesus’ reply, ‘Come and you will see’ was an invitation to trust him and John the Baptist as well, in a way it was Jesus reaching out and giving them what they were looking for Faith, Hope and Love.

Finally, we read the disciple’s reaction and excitement as they shared what they have experienced to their friends.
“We have found the Messiah!”, their realization would have been written all over their faces and in their actions.

They did not need to ‘shout it from the rooftops’ but they did because they wanted to make sure that everyone knew where the Joy came from.
They wanted to ensure that no one could assume that the reason for the hope was because of any other reason but because they have found the Messiah.  

Our Journey of Faith can be summarized in the quotes from John’s Gospel.
Take a moment, reflect on these in prayer, let the Holy Spirit guide your answers, guide your actions.

“Behold the Lamb of God!”
– Who is Jesus?

“What are you looking for?”
– What are the reasons to follow?   

“Where are you staying?”
– Where are you placing him in your life?

“Come, and you will see!”
 – When will you follow?

“We have found the Messiah!”
– Why are you waiting to tell people, Why do people need to hear?