January 18, 2015 	           Living by example		            
2nd Sunday, Year B
Have you ever noticed that the gospel writers usually omit all the interesting details that we would love to know? Today’s gospel is a typical example of this. Perhaps they didn’t want to make their gospel too long or maybe they thought their readers would only want the bare facts.  
Anyway, John tells us, “They went and saw where he lived and stayed with him the rest of that day”. What was Jesus’ house like? Small? Tidy? Comfortable? And above all, what did they talk about? I suppose we can guess. The two disciples of John were obviously devout Jews looking to live in a way pleasing to God. Also, they were eagerly awaiting the coming of the Messiah, foretold by the prophets through the ages. When they heard the mysterious words of John, they guessed he was referring to the Messiah and they immediately left John and followed Jesus.
Whatever was said over the next few hours, it had a tremendous effect on the two disciples. One of them, Andrew, had a brother, Peter, and early the next morning, Andrew hurried off to tell Peter the wonderful news that they had found the Messiah.
So John introduced his two disciples to Jesus and Andrew introduced his brother, Peter, to Jesus. Who introduced us to Jesus? Probably our parents when they took us to the church to be baptised. From our parents we learnt about God and learnt our first prayers. Later in school, others — usually religious sisters — continued the work of bringing us to know and love Jesus more.
That is how the faith has been passed on from one generation to another down through the centuries. Now it is our turn. We are not all called to be priests or religious but we are all called to introduce others to Jesus. We can do this in all sorts of ways, depending on our state of life. We do not have to preach, in fact often we do not have to say anything. We can bring people to Jesus through our way of living.   
Australia’s own saint, Mary MacKillop, is a good example of this. In her youth she began teaching the bush children and the most important subject was religion, bringing the children to know and love the God who had created and redeemed them. Later, as foundress and leader of the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph, she brought men and women to God through her kindness; her compassion; her gentleness and her love. Or in the words often attributed to St Francis of Assisi: “Preach the gospel at all times, use words if necessary”.
We can follow her example in our own neighbourhood, whether we work as part of the St Vincent de Paul Society or simply go out to help anyone in need. There are many opportunities in every parish: lonely people, housebound people, sick and ageing people, widowed and divorced people. We don’t need special qualifications, just kindness and love. 
                       Reg Ahearn CSsR 
                   ©Redemptorists 2015

2682A
We respond
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON (or a hymn) All the earth shall bow down before you, O God, and shall sing to you, shall sing to your name, O Most High!
RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Ps 39)
Antiphon: Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
RESPONSE: Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
LECTOR: I waited, I waited for the Lord and he stooped down to me; he heard my cry. He put a new song into my mouth, praise of our God. R.
LECTOR: You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings, but an open ear. You do not ask for holocaust and victim, Instead, here am I. R.
LECTOR: In the scroll of the book it stands written that I should do your will. My God, I delight in your law in the depth of my heart. R.
LECTOR: Your justice I have proclaimed in the great assembly. My lips I have not sealed; you know it, O Lord. R.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia, alleluia! We have found the Messiah: Jesus Christ, who brings us truth and grace. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON (1) or (2) (or a hymn) 
You have prepared a table before me, and how precious is the chalice that quenches my thirst.
Or	
We have come to know and to believe in the love that God has for us.
TODAY’S READINGS 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19; 1 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20; John 1:35-42
NEXT WEEK (3rd Sunday of Year B) Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 24; 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31; Mark 1: 14-20