January 17, 2021
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
During the Gloria of the Mass we sing or say “Lamb of God.†It also reappears during the Communion Rite. Today, we hear this title given to Jesus by John the Baptist as Jesus walks by. Could it be the nickname that John gives to Jesus? John forewarns of the coming judgment of God. Does the Baptist recognize something different in Jesus than he expected – not the fire of God’s wrath but the fire and spirit of God’s love?
After hearing John identify Jesus as the Lamb of God, two of his disciples break from him and follow Jesus. Jesus turns and asks, “What are you looking for?†Jesus asks the most fundamental question that we can ever hope to ask and to answer. We may list a number of longings or desires of human hearts for love, peace, healing, harmony, security, material gain, recognition, opportunities to use our talents. But there is something more basic and fundamental that we are looking for – and that is meaning for our existence. Many years ago I read a book by a Jewish psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, entitled Man’s Search for Meaning. He survived Auschwitz, the notorious Nazi Death Camp. When everything is stripped away, the deepest aspiration or longing is for meaning. “Man can only find meaning for his existence in something outside himself. This is the core of the human spirit. If we can find some meaning to live for, if we can find some meaning to put at the center of our lives, even the worst kind of suffering becomes bearable.â€
The two disciples reply, “Rabbi (the word means Teacher) where are you staying?†By using the title “Rabbi†and inquiring to know where Jesus “is staying†these two disciples are hoping to become students of Jesus the Rabbi. With Jesus they can hope to answer the fundamental question of what they are truly looking for. The Teacher is open to this special relationship with these two new students or disciples. “Come and you will see.†They stay with him that day. Jesus’ question, “What are you looking for?†and Jesus’ invitation, “Come, and you will see†are intended for all of us today who are hearing his words. We are asked to search our hearts for the meaning of our lives and then to spend time, and abide with Jesus.
Previous:
Baptism of the Lord
