2nd Sunday Year A: Reflection by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Theme: RECOGNISE WHO COMES AND WHY

(John 1:29–34)

Today in the Gospel Reading, John looked and saw Jesus coming towards him. Recognising Him, he called out to the people around him in great exclamation: “Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Let us consider how to recognise what people are coming with, know really what they come into our lives to do and what we should do in people’s life.

KNOW WHO IS COMING

It is good you look far. It is important for us to try to see beyond what appears but dig deep to recognise those coming. To this effect you’ve got to look out for the signs with which you recognise people. Do not be deceived by what they present themselves to be. Try rather to see them as the Lord would. Look and see. See well. To see well put on the divine spectacle. Do it like John the Baptist. Look for what God would say about him/ her and how he/ she reflects the word of God. John remembered immediately what God said about Jesus Christ: “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain…” This is interesting. He is not just one who claims to be but one who really is. He is not just one upon whom the spirit descended but one upon whom the Spirit remains. If the person is just a canal person, be careful, if he is not coming to uplift you spiritually, beware! If he doesn’t care about your edification, flee from him. Just recognise the packages he is coming with and know whether he comes to give or take and what he gives as well as what he takes, whether what he comes to take is what he should take and whether what he gives is what should be given. Know if he is indeed a friend or an enemy.

The Bible tells us what the enemy comes to do; to steal, kill and destroy. But Jesus comes for abundant life. The real friend enhances your life positively.

TO TAKE AWAY

Jesus’ coming was to take away sin, evil, vices. What are we called to take away in the life of people around us? Instead of taking away sins many act as Nigerian epileptic electricity companies who take away the lights to introduce darkness, who take away power to bring about weakened progress, who abort development and encourage mediocrity.

What are we supposed to take away? We are called to take away injustice, political instability, greed, marginalization, deceit, bribery and corruption, moral, religious and cultural decays, terrorism and destruction of life and property. Take away everything that puts a question mark on your call to be human, to be a Christian, to be holy. This oppression “Take Away” should begin with oneself and extend to others. When you’ve taken away by the grace of Jesus Christ in you all that is not good, then you’re called to move into the lives of others to help them out, to take away too whatever that is sinful in them. Also, we are encouraged to be docile and allow good spirited people around us to take away by the power of the word, through advice, through corrections, through admonitions all infirmities in us.

TO PUT IN

Some people come into our lives to give, to make a positive mark, to introduce avenues of success, open doors, knowledge, wisdom to actually help us to bring out the best in us. These people have something to offer always. When you encounter them you will never remain the same. You must be a changed person for good, old things must be put away, new things begin to take place in you. They give in a lot to make you better without counting. (Like Jesus Christ they are ready to make sacrifices.

Jesus offered a special type of baptism even different and higher than that of John the Baptist. Jesus brought with Him what became an open door, what served as a gateway to joy everlasting).They can offer you peace in your marriage, joy and hope in your disappointments, love when you feel unloved, strength in your weakness, Job in joblessness, way out in your troubles, advice in your confusions, direction in your doubt, they bring in and bring back into your life all the good things you may have lost.

RESOLVE/PRAYERS

Know who is coming into your life and why he comes. Take away vices from your life. Take in virtues and graces into your life. Let the Spirit of God remain in you for discernment and may God take away the consequences of your sins and lavish His grace gratuitously in your life through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Sunday to you, (2nd Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr A)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh