LIVING WORD - JANUARY 4, 2017 by Lito L. Abella

JANUARY 4, 2017

WEDNESDAY GOSPEL

John 1:35-42 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The First Disciples of Jesus

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?”  He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.  He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed. He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter.)

REFLECTION

VENI ET VIDI:

Rediscovering God’s Story in our Life

Lito L. Abella

            When my friend posted on Facebook an invitation concerning Parolan Festival at the Plaza of the Municipal of Bansud, I found it catchy and captivating.  I did not wonder few days after when my Newsfeed flooded with the many pictures of amazing designs of Christmas lights and decors. Indeed, the invitation succeeded.

            On the level of the Gospel proclaimed this day, moment of “Come and See” as an invitation not of the lights and decors though it is still Christmas nor anyone else. But a perennial invitation of rediscovering God’s Story in our life.  Veni et Vidi – “Come and See” – Jesus’ invitation to the first apostles.  Not to pre-empt our celebration on Sunday, readings today prefigures the coming and seeing of the wise men to the manifestation of light to the world, no other than the Holy Infant in the Manger, Jesus. Rediscovering God’s story in our life through the invitation of “Come and See” points to the three movements of the invitation.

            First, Come and See as rediscovering what God has done for us. There’s a saying, gratitude is the memory of the heart.  The invitation come and see gives an opportunity to recall God’s generosity in our life.  It’s still Christmas and a New Year has opened. God’s generosity is made present through the presence He gave us through Jesus.  Indeed, Christmas is a celebration of presence – of the Emmanuel – the God with us.  It is also the celebration of light for Jesus is the true light born unto us, the light that does not fade and can light even the darkest part of our life.  It is also a celebration of God’s fellowship with us for Jesus was born like us that we may be born in heaven.  Christmas is a celebration of pakikisalo ng Diyos sa atin kahit patuloy siyang nasasaktan. The opportunity that invitation is innumerable for God is so gracious and even his generosity in our life cannot be measured.

            Second, Come and See as unfolding what God can do for us.  This invites us to hope for the future, believe in God’s goodness and never doubt on what God can do for us.  This leads us to believe in our possibilities as a person never giving in to the temptation of hoarding to share God- given talents. Life is more than what we think in God’s profound plan for us. I am not impossible but “I am POSSIBLE” through Christ who strengthens me. The invitation gives an opportunity that we may see what God can do for us through our cooperation.  Suspicion sometimes overruns us but Jesus’ Come and See offers his magnanimity over our uncertainty.

            Lastly, Come and See as drawing others close to Jesus. In the narrative, Andrew introduced Jesus to Peter giving a model of coming and seeing Jesus in our life should bring us to be an instrument of others’ Come and See experience.  That they, too, rediscover what God has done to them and believe what God can do in their lives. It’s retelling the story of God’s generosity and goodness in our life – kung paano naawa ang Diyos sa atin, kung paano nagtitiis at patuloy na nakikisalo sa ating buhay sa kabila  ng ating paulit- ulit na pagkasuwail. It’s giving witness to the presence and the  true light whom we always celebrate every Christmas season.

            Veni et Vidi – Come and See.  Christmas is about end.  Lights and decorations which catches and captivates us will be kept and their amazing splendour of lights and designs that excites and elevates joy during Christmas season will fade again for a long period of months.  May the story of God in our life be a little candle that would scatter the radiance of God’s generosity through rediscovering what he has done for us and what God can do by becoming an instrument in drawing others to become more closes to Jesus, the true light that never fades and can penetrate even to the inner recesses of everyone.  Amen.