Collect Series: Collect for Second Sunday Ordinary Time.

 COLLECT SERIES

The Mass: Collect Series Icon.

COLLECT 

The Collect for the Second Sunday of Year B reads as follows:

Almighty ever-living God,

Who governs all things, both in heaven and on earth,

Mercifully hear the pleading of Your people

And bestow Your peace on our times.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

 

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

 

In making this prayer tangible, the following reflection questions emerged:

1. What is my relationship with God as Creator?
2. Does my life exemplify myself as the Creator in the way of live or does it exemplify God as Creator- is God first in my life?
3. What are my pleading for Your people?  Do I intercede for the Church and for His people?
4. What does God’s peace mean to me?
5. What areas in my life need God’s peace?
6. What steps can I take this coming week to experience God’s peace in my life and in the lives of those whom I meet, work, parishioners, family, friends?

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

The Gospel for today is from Jn 1:35-42, which gives us the calling of the first four apostles. You will notice the steps involved in the calling.

Step 1:  The first 2 apostles listen to John the Baptist. His statement " There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" made an impression on them and they left John to follow Jesus.  This is reminiscent of the Epiphany which we celebrated last week. Herod tried to hold onto power whilst the wise men from the East sought the Lord of Lords to be their King.  John the Baptist does not try to hold on to his power or hold them back but lets them go. He releases them knowing that he was to point the way to Jesus.  Are we able to point others to Jesus and release them in their journey. 

Step 2: The 2 disciples stay with Jesus for the day.  Imagine what they would have talked about during that day- the questions, the curiosity they would have had about Jesus. They wanted to get to know Jesus, so they spent time with Him.  Do we want to get to know Jesus? Do we spend time with Him to get to know Him more?  Do we set aside time for retreat to have a day with the Lord? Why not look at your diary this coming week and lock in a retreat before the diary gets filled with other things.  If we are not able to spend a day with Him, why not commit to one hour regular adoration either online or in person. It is a wonderful way to get to know Jesus and to get to know ourselves before Him. 

 Step 3: Andrew finds his brother and tells him about Jesus.  You will notice that from his own experience of Jesus, he tells Peter about Jesus. Andrew realises that they have found the Messiah.  Because he has spent time with Him, he is able to say that they had found the Messiah.  What experience have we had that we can share with others about Jesus so that we can say like Andrew ' We have found the Messiah'.  Personal testimony is very powerful.

 Step 4: Andrew brings Simon Peter to Jesus.  The Gospel does not tell us whether Peter came to Jesus because of his brother’s testimony only or whether from his testimony, his own heart was sparked. What is important though is that Peter came to  see Jesus.  What does this mean for us?  When people come to the church, they may be coming for a whole range of reasons which may/may not be initially helpful to their faith journey. When they encounter Jesus, these reasons will find their own place and their faith journey with Jesus begins. It is not the initial motives that are important since these can be purified along the way, rather it is for those of us who know Jesus to introduce Him to other people. What are we doing to bring other people to Jesus? What commitment will I make this coming year to bring other people to Jesus? eg invite people to Alpha course in your parish or set up an Alpha course in your parish or simply ask someone to come to Mass with you.

 

Step 5: When encountering Jesus, Simon’s name was changed to Peter.  He received the call. What do we do to encourage vocations?  Do we pray for vocations sincerely? Do we walk alongside those studying for priesthood and give them support?
Changing a name is significant. It is giving a person a new identity-a new role, a new mission.  When we encounter Jesus, are we given a new identity, a new role or a new mission.  How are we changed when we encounter Jesus?

 

This Gospel therefore provides us with much food for thought and food for action as well. What difference will this Gospel make to our lives this coming week/this coming year.