The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to alertness to the path of renewed hope in the events and people of our day.
The reading from the First Letter of John exhorts Avoiding Sin.
* [3:9] A habitual sinner is a child of the devil, while a child of God, who by definition is in fellowship with God, cannot sin. Seed: Christ or the Spirit who shares the nature of God with the Christian. (1 John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 98 praises the Judge of the World.
* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9). (Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of John introduces the First Disciples of Jesus.
* [1:36] John the Baptist’s testimony makes his disciples’ following of Jesus plausible.
* [1:37] The two disciples: Andrew (Jn 1:40) and, traditionally, John, son of Zebedee (see note on Jn 13:23).
* [1:39] Four in the afternoon: literally, the tenth hour, from sunrise, in the Roman calculation of time. Some suggest that the next day, beginning at sunset, was the sabbath; they would have stayed with Jesus to avoid travel on it.
* [1:41] Messiah: the Hebrew word māśiâh, “anointed one” (see note on Lk 2:11), appears in Greek as the transliterated messias only here and in Jn 4:25. Elsewhere the Greek translation christos is used.
* [1:42] Simon, the son of John: in Mt 16:17, Simon is called Bariona, “son of Jonah,” a different tradition for the name of Simon’s father. Cephas: in Aramaic = the Rock; cf. Mt 16:18. Neither the Greek equivalent Petros nor, with one isolated exception, Cephas is attested as a personal name before Christian times. (John, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)
Scott McClure comments that in our lives that are filled with any manner of challenge, Jesus gives us the gift of hope.
Hope keeps us standing when we feel like crumbling. Hope offers vision to see what is possible. And as for Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton - whose own hope resulted in the robust commitment to Catholic education that continues to this day and whose memorial we celebrate today - when combined with faith and love, hope can enable us to show God's love in the world in ways no one could imagine. So, let us, the people of God, be hopeful! (McClure, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “The first disciples longing for the Messiah,” by John Chrysostom (349-407 AD).
"Andrew, after having stayed with Jesus and after having learned what he did, did not keep the treasure to himself but hurries and races to his brother in order to let him know the good things Jesus has shared with him. But why hasn't John mentioned what they talked about? How do we know this is why they 'stayed with him'?... Observe what Andrew says to his brother, 'We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.' You see how, in a short time, he demonstrates not only the persuasiveness of the wise teacher but also his own longing that he had from the beginning. For this word, 'we have found,' is the expression of a soul that longs for his presence, looking for his coming from above, and is so ecstatic when what he is looking for happens that he hurries to tell others the good news. This is what brotherly affection, natural friendship, is all about when someone is eager to extend a hand to another when it comes to spiritual matters. Also see how he adds the article, for he does not say 'Messiah' but 'the Messiah.' They were expecting the Christ who would have nothing in common with the others." (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 19.1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 1:35-42 asks what would happen if we got to spend a whole day alone with the Lord?
Whatever you’re seeking, consider setting a day aside for a personal retreat. If that’s too much, maybe dedicate a Saturday morning to the Lord. Put it on the calendar, and approach it like treasured time with a close friend. Pour some coffee, put on some quiet music, and choose a Scripture passage and maybe some inspirational reading. As you settle in, imagine Jesus turning his gaze toward you and asking, “What are you looking for?” Reflect on that question with him, and answer him honestly. Tell him what’s on your heart. Share your burdens with him. He has been so looking forward to this time with you!
“Jesus, help me find the time to be with you, to seek you, and to hear your voice.” (Meditation on John 1:35-42, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler identifies the very dualistic nature of 1 John and the split described between the righteous and the sinful. The Aramaic language of the Baptist identifies Jesus as Lamb/Servant of God. Friar Jude suggests the theme in John of comparing Peter and the Beloved Disciple in the use of Greek for naming Peter may resonate with “rockhead”.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, observes how we grow spiritually through powerlessness and a willingness to change.
God seems to have hidden holiness and wholeness in a secret place where only the humble will find it. Why such a disguise? Why such a game of hide-and-seek?
I cannot pretend to understand God, but this is what I see: People who have moved from seeming success to seeming success seldom understand success at all, except a very limited version of their own. People who fail to do something right, by even their own definition of right, are those who often breakthrough to enlightenment and compassion. It is God’s greatest surprise and God’s constant disguise, but we only know it to be true by going through it and coming out on the other side. We cannot know it just by going to church, reading Scripture, or listening to someone else talk about it, even if we agree with them.
Until we bottom out and come to the limits of our own fuel supply, there is no reason to switch to a higher-octane fuel. For that is what is happening! Why would we? We will not learn to actively draw upon a Larger Source until our usual sources are depleted and revealed as wanting. In fact, we will not even know there is a Larger Source until our own sources and resources fail us. (Rohr, 2024)
We encounter people and experiences that, with our openness to the Spirit, prompt us to examine our commitments and renew hope for love, peace, compassion, and mercy.
References
John, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/1?
McClure, S. (2024, January 4). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/010424.html
Meditation on John 1:35-42. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/01/04/866822/
1 John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/3?7
Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1
Rohr, R. (2024, January 4). Strength in Weakness — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/strength-in-weakness/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). We Have Found the Messiah! Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jan4
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