SECOND SUNDAY OF THE YEAR B
First Reading (1 Sam 3: 3-10.19). The first reading narrates the story of the call of the prophet Samuel.
Second Reading (1 Cor 6: 13-15.17-20). The human body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and it is to be used, not for sin, but for the glory of God.
Gospel (Jn 1: 35-42). The call of the first disciples according to John’s account.
Homily
Why do we often find it difficult to share our faith with others? Or let me rephrase my question: if we believe that the Gospel is the Good News, why don’t we share it with others? Why are we reluctant or shy to share our faith with others?
Today’s scripture readings tell stories of faith sharing. Faith in Jesus is to be shared with others. The first reading tells the story of Eli sharing his faith with the young man Samuel. The second reading presents Paul sharing his faith with the Corinthians. And the Gospel reading portrays John sharing his faith with other two disciples, Andrew and Peter.
I would like us to focus on the Gospel reading and on Andrew especially. In all the times the name of Andrew is cited in the Gospel of John, it is to presents him (Andrew) bringing someone to Jesus. He is sharing his faith in Jesus with someone. In today’s gospel passage, Andrew brings his brother Peter to Jesus and Peter will be chosen by Jesus to be the rock upon which Jesus shall build his Church.
Andrew, in the same Gospel according to John, will bring the boy with five loaves of bread and two fish to Jesus to feed a multitude of hungry people. (Jn 6:8)
The very same Andrew will again bring some Greek people to Jesus and Jesus seized the occasion to teach them some important things. (Jn 12: 20-22)
This brings us to our initial question asked at the introduction of our homily. If we really believe that Jesus is the Lord and Saviour, why are we reluctant to share Him with others? The answer we often hear is that “we are a secular/a non-christian state; many people do not want to hear about Jesus; respect of peoples’ rights…” for many other people, when one starts talking about Jesus, they become nervous and feel unease and disturbed. Most of us spend hours and hours to discuss and share various stories of life except sharing about Jesus, sharing our faith. Any Christian who thinks that it is not important to share his or her faith with others must reflect and meditate about today’s readings especially the Gospel. Had Andrew not shared his faith in Jesus with his brother Peter, Peter would never become the rock upon which Jesus built his Church.
Today’s gospel passage invites us to do some introspection at our reluctance and shyness to share our faith with others. If we really believe that the Gospel is the Good News, and if we believe that Jesus is the Lord and Saviour, we are to share our faith in Jesus with others, with our children and our friends. If we want to change positively the face of the world, we must share our faith in Jesus with others. Jesus today has no heart, but ours. He has no hands and feet, but ours. Jesus has no mouth and ears but ours.
