Reflection - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Photo: Warren Wong/Unsplash

The gospel today describes the act of discipleship; how it begins and where it leads. It is a call to people throughout history too, to follow Jesus, to become a Spirit-filled person like him.

After the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan river, which we accept as the beginning of his ministry, John the Baptist directs Andrew and another person, to Jesus who he sees in the distance.

Andrew and his companion encounter Jesus who asks them what they want? Like a true Irishman, they respond with a question; where do you live? They go with him and stay with him for the rest of that day.

‘What do you want’? is an eternal question which people ask themselves. Many do not know. We say these days that people are longing for love and find it in many different places and people.

Andrew and his disciple were exposed to the presence of Jesus for a good part of the day. We are not privy to the conversation but it is the beginning of a call, an attraction, enough for Andrew to go and find Simon his brother early the next morning and take him to meet Jesus.

Where and when does discipleship begin and deepen? It can begin with a personal meeting such as the one between Andrew and Jesus or going back a little, it is possible to say that the authority and witness of John the Baptist was enough authority for Andrew and his companion to go and meet Jesus.

Next morning Andrew tells Simon that they have found the Messiah! This is a huge claim by Andrew, what does he know about such things? This is a theme common in the scriptures: it is the lowly people, the ordinary people who see or hear clearly the voice of God more than the professional godly people.

Simon does not laugh or ask Andrew if he has been drinking but accompanies him to meet Jesus. The gospel describes the meeting between Jesus and Simon in simple terms of exchange which are really quite profound.

Literature is full of descriptions between people who meet for the first time. The ‘love at first sight’ syndrome is the common description which is as mysterious as it is genuine.

Jesus looks ‘hard’ at Peter. What does that mean? Presumably, he is forming an impression of Simon, first impressions are significant. Then he changes Simon’s name from ‘Simon’ to ‘Peter’. This is God’s realm.

God changes Abram’s name to ‘Abraham’ as part of God’s covenant with him who will lead the people as a father in faith. God works through Abraham and in the same way, God will work through ‘Peter’ a name which means ‘Rock’.

What an amazing first meeting!

The gospels relate the story of discipleship; the initial encounter or call in this passage; the difficult stumbling years of learning what it means to be a disciple of Jesus; then the transformation into discipleship aided by the same Spirit which hovered over Jesus in the Jordan River. Disciples become another Christ. 

Columban Fr Gary Walker is currently living at the Columban house in Sandgate, Brisbane.