HOMILY FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B (8)

HOMILY FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

BY: Fr. Cosmas Ukadike CM

HOMILY:

Two weeks into the New Year, Gods word presents us with the event of John pointing out to two of his disciples the Lamb of God-Jesus Christ, as he walked by.

Upon hearing that Jesus is the Lamb of God; the two disciples left John and followed Jesus. Some questions we may need to reflect upon may be:

Was John disappointed with their action? Was that a way of saying you are a lesser man, we want to go for the greater man? Or was he delighted to formally present the messiah to them?

As Jesus walked on, he discovered that some people were following him, he turned and asked them:

What are you looking for? (John 1, 37). This is a very important question because everyone who follows must follow for a reason. Jesus needed to know what they sought for from him. And they answered: where are you staying? (John 1, 38).

The choice of the answer they gave was some worth like: we want to be with you, live with you, dwelling forever with you.

They expressed these desires also by going down to where Jesus was staying and spending the rest of the day with him (1, 39). It is important that we know what we seek of the Lord. We are not meant to be mere followers, “follow follow”, rather expects a quality followership; one that is both genuine and practical. clearly expressed in our quality devotion to him and love of our neighbour.

It also spells out clearly that when we go to God in prayers, we should have an intension at heart, at the same time trusting that he’s got the solution to it.

From the answer of “come and see” which Jesus gave to the two disciples and his delight to keep them a whole day with him, says something of the warmth and tender heartedness found in Our Lord.

He does not despise those who come to him (Matt 11, 28).

No one goes to him and regrets ever been with him (Isaiah 91, 9).

In fact those who go just to see end up spending a whole day and night savouring his sweetness and others long to make more tents so as to dwell with him forever (Matt 17, 4).

As we advance in this new year 2018, the Lord wants us to know what we are looking for, for all good gifts come from the Lord (James 1, 17) and our help can only come from the Lord who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121, 1).

So let us not be afraid to ask, seek and knock at the door of the fountain of our lives- Jesus Christ. And when we have encountered him, let us not hesitate to point him out to others (become a disciple of our own nation) as John, Andrew and Eli all did today in the readings (John 1, 35-42; 1 Samuel 3, 3-10, 19).
May the Lord give us the grace to do his will.
Have a blessed week

Fr. Cosmas Ukadike, C.M.