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Second Sunday of Ordinary Time Mass Readings
Reading 1: 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19
Responsorial: Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-10
Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20
Gospel: John 1:35-42
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011721.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/
Thank you for joining me today for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes where we break open the Word.
This weekend we celebrate the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time. While “ordinary” can mean no special or distinctive features (New Oxford American Dictionary), what we celebrate every Sunday is no trivial matter! The seasons of the liturgical year, like Advent and Lent, allow us to highlight some specific aspect of the mystery of Christ. During Ordinary Time, however, we celebrate the mystery of Christ in its entirety. That, I assure you, is no small thing!
Today’s readings are perfect as we evaluate our New Year’s resolutions. Whether you’ve already set your resolutions or not, our readings give us some helpful ideas as we develop or evaluate our resolutions.
We begin with the question from the Gospel in mind, “What are you looking for?” (John 1:38).
With that question in mind, let’s turn our attention to that interesting second reading from First Corinthians. This section of First Corinthians is about sexual morality.
To illustrate the attitudes Paul encountered, I’d like to share a story shared by one of my graduate school professors, the biblical scholar Fr. George T. Montague, SM, in his commentary on First Corinthians. He tells the story of a member of the Italian parliament from a Christian party. In 2007, Italian police busted the official in a hotel room with two prostitutes and cocaine. A reporter asked him how his circumstances fit with his Christian values. Listen to his response. He said, “Of course, I recognize Christian values. But what has that got to do with going with a prostitute? It is a personal matter.” <1>
I know, I know, it’s a stunningly laughable story! But sadly, I think many Christians can relate to the idea that “It is a personal matter.” Too many Christians separate their Sunday worship from the rest of their lives. That was definitely the attitude in Corinth, and St. Paul took it on!
We can spend a lot of time focused solely on the second reading, but what’s the connection between sexual morality and the rest of our readings today?
I suggest to you that people chase extraordinary forms of thrills, pleasure, or excitement because something is missing from their lives. They (and we) might be trying to satisfy the ache with something – anything.
As we begin this new year, we can look to Scripture to help us consider and evaluate our new year’s resolutions. The Gospel asks, “What are you looking for?” (John 1:38).
In today’s Gospel, you can almost picture Andrew excitedly chasing after Jesus. Jesus responds, “Come, and you will see” (John 1:39). This is an invitation. Of course, we are saved only by God’s grace. There is nothing we can do to merit salvation. But God will not force himself on anyone. So, Jesus extends an invitation. “Come, and you will see” (John 1:39).
This is like our reading today from First Samuel. The Lord is calling, but Samuel didn’t recognize the call. He thought his master, Eli, was calling him. When Eli finally realized what was happening, he suggests to Samuel to respond to the Lord, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9).
So many of us live in an over-stimulated environment with watches and phones and other smart devices. Are we too distracted from hearing God’s call? The Lord didn’t push himself on Samuel. He didn’t say, “Hey, silly! I’m talking to you!” The Lord waited for Samuel to respond. And the Lord is waiting for you and me to respond.
Our great joy as disciples during Ordinary Time is to celebrate the Good News, like Andrew, that “We have found the Messiah” (John 1:41), and that Jesus will set us free. Jesus offers our lives meaning, and purpose. And as disciples, like Andrew, we turn to all those we encounter – especially those people among our families and friends who we see chasing the next big thrill. We turn to them and to those who’ve fallen away and to those who are nonbelievers, and we say to them, “I have Good News!”
Homework! Reinvigorated by our Eucharistic celebration, I ask you to reflect on the following two questions. First, reviewing your New Year’s resolutions, what are some ways you can respond to Jesus’ invitation? Perhaps join or help lead a bible study or prayer group? Second, what are some ways you could share or help the Church share the Good News with other people?
Doing our homework will help us as disciples refine our new year’s resolutions and reach out to everyone who needs to hear a message of hope and peace! Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! +Amen!
You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!
Image Credit: Photos public domain.com. 30 December 2010. Resolution List. JPG file.
References:
<1> George T. Montague, SM, First Corinthians (Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011), sec “Reflection and Application (6:12-20),” chap “The Court and the Courtesan (1 Cor 6). Kindle
Bibliography/Suggested Reading:
1. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015. Kindle.
2. Montague, George T. SM. First Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011. Kindle.
Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Desire for God: 27-30
2. Goodness of every creature: 339
3. The title Christ: 436-39
4. Fornication: 1852, 2353
Second Sunday of Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011721.cfm
Lectionary: 65
Reading I
1 Samuel; 3:3b-10, 19
Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD
where the ark of God was.
The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, “Here I am.”
Samuel ran to Eli and said, “Here I am. You called me.”
“I did not call you, “Eli said. “Go back to sleep.”
So he went back to sleep.
Again the LORD called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli.
“Here I am, “he said. “You called me.”
But Eli answered, “I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep.”
At that time Samuel was not familiar with the LORD,
because the LORD had not revealed anything to him as yet.
The LORD called Samuel again, for the third time.
Getting up and going to Eli, he said, “Here I am. You called me.”
Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth.
So he said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply,
Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.”
When Samuel went to sleep in his place,
the LORD came and revealed his presence,
calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him,
not permitting any word of his to be without effect.
Responsorial
Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10
R. (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or offering you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
to do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Reading II
1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20
Brothers and sisters:
The body is not for immorality, but for the Lord,
and the Lord is for the body;
God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power.
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?
But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one Spirit with him.
Avoid immorality.
Every other sin a person commits is outside the body,
but the immoral person sins against his own body.
Do you not know that your body
is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,
whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
For you have been purchased at a price.
Therefore glorify God in your body.
Alleluia
John 1:41, 17b
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We have found the Messiah:
Jesus Christ, who brings us truth and grace.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
John 1:35-42
John was standing with two of his disciples,
and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God.”
The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.
Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,
“What are you looking for?”
They said to him, “Rabbi” — which translated means Teacher —,
“where are you staying?”
He said to them, “Come, and you will see.”
So they went and saw where Jesus was staying,
and they stayed with him that day.
It was about four in the afternoon.
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,
was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.
He first found his own brother Simon and told him,
“We have found the Messiah” — which is translated Christ —.
Then he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said,
“You are Simon the son of John;
you will be called Cephas” — which is translated Peter.