Jesus calls Simon-Peter, Andrew and John to be disciples. Every Catholic man can grow in happiness by seeking the Gift of Knowledge from the Holy Spirit so he can strive to know Jesus more every day and by building the Virtue of Magnanimity so he can fulfill his person vow to be a prophet who brings many to Jesus.
Liturgy
Christmastime – January 4 or the Wednesday before Epiphany – Jn 1:35-42; 2nd Week in Ordinary Time – Sunday – Cycle B – Jn 1:35-42
Commentary
As he baptized multitudes with water in the historic Jordan River, John the Baptist fulfilled his magnanimous role as the new Elijah who announces the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Moving toward the celebration of Epiphany (“to manifest, disclose, discover, conspicuous“) on which the Magi find and worship the Christ Child, John the Baptist’s essential role in introducing Jesus’ inner core of the Apostles to Jesus is recalled.
Continuing to be awed by Jesus after seeing the Holy Spirit descend upon Him at the Baptism in the Jordan River, John the Baptist sees Jesus and spontaneously calls Him the “Lamb of God”, a mysterious title that recalls the sacrificial lamb at the Passover. Andrew and John the Evangelist (likely), disciples of the Baptist who heard the mysterious title but cannot fathom what it means, follow Jesus. Unaware He is the Son of God, the two men honor Jesus, calling Him “Rabbi”, and Jesus invites them to follow Him ( “come and see”). It was late afternoon, the 10th hour by Jewish reckoning is 4 pm, and Andrew and John spent the evening with Jesus at His camp in the wilderness near the Jordan River.
Having spent a single evening with Jesus, Andrew is convinced He is the Messiah and tells his brother Simon. Jesus, aware of Simon and mysteriously able to discern Simon’s heart and competency, immediately designates Simon’s importance in Salvation History by renaming him Peter (Greek for “Rock”); elsewhere (Mt 16:18), Jesus explains that Peter, the rock, will be the foundation of the Holy Catholic Church. Jesus’ act is both divine and prophetic; the Old Covenant was built on men God renamed (Abram becomes Abraham, Jacob becomes Israel) and Peter will become the foundation rock of the New Covenant and the Catholic Church.
Be awed by Jesus Christ
Filled with His Divine Presence, Jesus was endowed with a powerful Charisma and a Gaze that stops people short, forever changing the lives of those who hunger for God. Be awed that Peter, Andrew and John, down-to-earth and tough men who fish for a living, give up everything to follow Jesus after just a brief encounter.
Each day, know Jesus more
Realize: Many Catholic men struggle, lukewarm in the faith, unconvinced about the truth of Jesus because they have not yet truly encountered Him; every Catholic man with a receptive heart cannot be unmoved when he truly meets and knows Jesus.
Believe: Renew your commitment to Meet and Know Jesus (CCC 426-429, 1380, 2560, 2659).
Pray: Holy Spirit, give me the Gift of Knowledge so I can continually come to better know God by speaking to You in prayer, reading and memorizing the actual words of God in Scripture, in Adoration, and by receiving my Lord and Savior in the Sacraments.
Fulfill your vow to be a prophet
Realize: A Catholic man can forget that in the Sacrament of Confirmation, he has been indelibly marked and has personally vowed to be a prophet, a man who takes on the prophetic office to proclaim Jesus to others; every Catholic man is called to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ by the holiness of their lives and by telling others about Jesus.
Believe: Reflect upon your personal Prophetic Office (CCC 904-907, 1302-1305, 1316-1317).
Pray: Jesus, Creator of Prophets, help me build the Virtue of Magnanimity (a part of Fortitude) so I accept my sacred Confirmation vow to be Your prophet, and I strive with my greatest efforts to live and proclaim Your saving truth to my family, friends and many others throughout my entire life.