SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: POINTING JESUS OUT TO OTHERS

READINGS AT MASS

1 Sam 3:3-10, 19

Psalm 40

1Cor 6:13-15, 17-20

Jn. 1:35-42

Theme: POINTING JESUS OUT TO OTHERS

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...

In today's First Reading, Eli, the Priest, performed a rather painful final duty of pointing the young Samuel's attention from himself to the voice of God. The implication being that God was no longer going to speak to Eli directly but through the young Samuel, a temple servant. This was a step towards the degradation of his family and Eli was well aware of it yet he, in great humility, pointed Samuel towards God and quietly left the scene for God to do His own thing even if it brought disgrace upon his household.

In our Gospel text for today, John the Baptist saw Jesus coming towards them and immediately points Him out to his disciples as the Lamb of God, the one he had been talking about. Immediately, two of his disciples left him and followed Jesus Christ.

It is not enough to speak about Jesus, we must also find ways of pointing Him out to people even if it means losing our position and popularity.

Beloved, Jesus Christ is not a theory that we can only talk about. He is a concrete reality. Every now and then, He passes by yearning for Christians to point Him out to people who would follow and experience Him.

In a world where preachers have become celebrities and Christian are full of themselves, Jesus Christ needs to be reintroduce. In a world where the name (Jesus) is popular but His actual person and face are so scarce; in a world where the closest introduction we have to Jesus is the phrase, "you have to see my Pastor." Christians, who are just like Temples, must take up the task of pointing people toward the personality of Jesus. Jesus Christ must be clearly identified and pointed out. Like John the Baptist and Eli, we must learn how to introduce people to Jesus and allow Him to do His work.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, we give thanks for the gift of being your blessed temples. Help us to be ready to share this blessing with others by identifying and pointing you out to the world. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, January 17, 2021

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.