14.12.2024 – Iznatoraf – Villanueva del Arzobispo

“Come and see”

1Samuel 3:3-10, 19, Psalm 39, 1Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20, John 1:35-42

The Lord calls each of us by name. He invites us to “Come and see.” He calls us and invites us to discover the joy of friendship and communion with the One who made us in love for love. Saint Augustine of Hippo reminds us that it is God, our Creator and Redeemer, who seeks us out, even when we are not looking for him. It is God who initiates and who draws us to himself. Without his mercy and help we could not find him on our own.

In today’s first reading, God calls Samuel and entrust him a mission. In the Gospel reading, our Lord Jesus calls Peter. There is a call on everyone’s life. We are not just an accident. As the Prophet Jeremiah says before we were formed in our mother’s womb, our God anointed us for a specific purpose. God thinks a lot about us, more than the sands of the sea since He wants the best for us. And He plans the best for us. If we follow His plan, we will live our best lives. We think about living an easy life, but He plans an exciting and fulfilling life for us.

When we find something of great value it’s natural to want to share the good news of our discovery with our family, friends, and neighbours. In today´s Gospel, when Andrew met Jesus and discovered that he was truly the Messiah, he immediately went to his brother Simon and told him the good news. Andrew brought his brother to meet Jesus so he could “come and see” for himself. When Jesus saw Simon approaching he immediately reached out to Simon in the same way he had done for Andrew earlier. Jesus looked at Simon and revealed that he knew who Simon was and where he came from even before Simon had set his eyes on Jesus. Jesus gave Simon a new name which signified that God had a personal call and mission for him. Jesus gave Simon the name “Cephas” which is the Aramaic word for “rock”. Cephas is translated as Peter (Petros in Greek and Petrus in Latin) which also literally means “rock”.

Because the Lord calls each us by name, just like Samuel and Simon Peter; Saint Paul reminds us to keep our bodies pure and spotless. He reminds us that we are temples of the Holy Spirit; we should do all for the glory of God. He says “You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” We are Christians when we surrender our body and soul to the will of God, responding like the Psalmist “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will”

Have we understood the call on our life? Have we asked God to show His purpose for our life on earth? If we have not understood what God’s call for us is then we should certainly ask God about it. Because He has already worked out a plan for us.