Mass Readings and Meditations “The Word Among Us” Saturday, 4 January
2014
Meditation: John 1: The First Disciples of Jesus
35 The next day John again was standing with two of his
disciples, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the
Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.
38 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?” 39 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. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed
him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his brother Simon and
said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed[a]). 42
He brought Simon[b] to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of
John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter[c]).
Footnotes:
a. John 1:41 Or Christ
b. John 1:42 Gk him
c. John 1:42 From the word for rock in Aramaic (kepha) and Greek
(petra), respectively
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious
We have found the Messiah. (John 1:41)
Have you ever had to wait a long time for something you were
really looking forward to? Something like your wedding or the birth of a child?
Do you remember what it felt like when the big day finally arrived? You
probably felt as if you were going to burst with excitement!
Now imagine that you have shared that sense of anticipation with
thousands of other people and that you are part of a long history of thousands
and thousands more who have been waiting for centuries. How do you think you
would feel if it turned out that you were in the generation that saw the
fulfillment? What if you had the privilege of being an eyewitness to it?
That gives you some idea of the excitement that Andrew must have
been feeling when he told his brother, Simon Peter, “We have found the Messiah”
(John 1:41). Israel’s Redeemer has finally arrived—and he is right there with
you!
No single word can describe the exuberance that this realization
brings. But today’s Responsorial Psalm paints a vivid picture: “Let the rivers
clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy before the Lord” (Psalm
98:8).
How great Andrew’s excitement must have been! He must have drawn
on that delight and confidence many times, especially when doubts surfaced, or
when he faced opposition for his faith. We, too, should do the same. Just as
you may weather a tough time in your marriage by remembering the love that
brought you together, you can let that spark of initial spiritual enthusiasm
strengthen and inspire you through spiritual, physical, or emotional
challenges.
So today, ask the Spirit to help you keep the memory of Jesus’
blessings alive in your heart. Meditate on the times when you have felt lifted
up and inspired by the Lord. Recall the magnitude of this gift of God to
you—and to the whole world. Day after day, tell yourself, “I have found the
Messiah!”
“Lord, help me recapture my joy as I dwell on the way you have
fulfilled God’s promises. Teach me to sustain that joy during my dark hours so
that I can find rest in your salvation.”Amen!
First Letter of John 3: 7 Little children, let no one deceive
you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8
Everyone who commits sin is a child of the devil; for the devil has been
sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to
destroy the works of the devil. 9 Those who have been born of God do not sin,
because God’s seed abides in them;[a] they cannot sin, because they have been
born of God. 10 The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed
in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those
who do not love their brothers and sisters.[b]
Footnotes:
a. 1 John 3:9 Or because the children of God abide in him
b. 1 John 3:10 Gk his brother
Psalm 98: Praise the Judge of the World
A Psalm.
1 O sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done
marvelous things.
His right hand and his holy arm
have gotten him victory.
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those
who live in it.
8 Let the floods clap their hands;
let the hills sing
together for joy
9 at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming
to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with
equity.
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