R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We have found the Messiah:
Jesus Christ, who brings us truth and grace.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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.

Eli and Samuel, by John Singleton Copley, 1780, Public Domain

I think it fair to say relationships don’t just happen; they are nurtured. They grow and mature. It takes time, energy, honesty, and trust to develop a relationship that will last not only during good times but times of trial and struggle.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus asks the disciples, “What are you looking for?”  Little did they know that not only were they seeking Jesus, but, long before they were aware of it Jesus was seeking them.

Jesus, being the Son of God, follows the same process used to call Abraham, Moses, the prophets, St. Joseph, the Blessed Mother, and… each one of us. Yes, God’s call is not only to a select few but to each one of us, for we are all His children. The call to discipleship accompanies our baptismal commitment to “Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.”

In this Gospel account, John’s disciples physically follow Jesus on foot but as of yet, they did not yet know Him in their heart. Jesus speaks first to the disciples who quickly answer Him with the question, “Where are you staying?” to which Jesus responds, “Come, and you will see.”

It’s the same response Jesus gives to each of us. “Come, and you will see.”

Jesus calls us to His Eucharistic Table, and, as members of His Body, to His Family. The Eucharist is the tangible expression of Christ’s love for us. His Body and Blood are continually offered to the Father and distributed to us during Holy Communion. But wait; there’s more to the story.

John’s Gospel tells us, “…they went and saw where Jesus was staying.”

They must have been overjoyed to be in His presence so much so that they wanted to share their find with their family and friends. We, too, can be so overjoyed at the Eucharist that we want to share our experiences of Jesus with our family and friends. After all, that’s what our Baptism calls us to do.

We know that Sacred Scripture is inspired by God and meant for all. Today’s Gospel account is as valid in our lives as it was to Andrew, Simon Peter, and to every human person since then, to us, and to everyone who shall come after us. As we hear the Gospel in our hearts, we ask ourselves, “What do I want from Jesus? What am I seeking?” And we realize that Jesus continually calls and asks each of us, “What do you want?”

If and when we are truly honest with ourselves, we would have the courage to boldly say without any delay, “I am seeking you, Jesus”.

So, can the presence of Christ in our lives be shared with others? Is Christ’s presence only a philosophical or faith-filled thought or sentiment; or is Christ truly present in a more tangible way?

As Catholics, we believe that Jesus is truly present – Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity – in the Blessed Sacrament. That’s why the fullness of Christ resides in each and every particle and fragment of the Sacred Host and in each and every drop of His Precious Blood. Just as Jesus invited the disciples to “come…and see”, He invites us to stay with Him as He makes Himself available for us to be with Him during Eucharistic Adoration. Not only did the disciples take up his offer, according to Scripture, “they stayed with Him.”

Doesn’t this sound like a personal invitation from Jesus to spend time with Him in what is known as Eucharistic Adoration? Some call it “face time with Jesus”; Just Him and me… alone. Quiet time where as best friends I can tell Him anything on my mind; share with Him my concerns, hopes, joys; where I can just be me and I accept Him for being God. No pressure from the outside world; just honesty between Him and me.

Today’s readings from Sacred Scripture are situated within the first few weeks of the new year. They seem to serve as a reminder to us that our individual journeys begin with God’s unique and personal call to each of us. They also serve to caution us against ordinary routines of daily life that often time deceive us to not respond to the prompting of God in our lives. Yet, if we are attentive to God’s call in our hearts, we can’t help but to admit that God is constantly calling us to Himself.

The psalmist sang, “He put a new song into my mouth;” a new song that reflects a new way of speaking; a new way of acting; a new way of thinking: ways that reflect our answer to Christ’s invitation to “come…and see.”

Samuel answered God’s call; so did Andrew and Simon Peter. And Jesus put a new song in their mouths. Each took on a whole new way of thinking, acting, and speaking.

And so, each of us can ask the same question, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” Jesus desires to build a personal relationship with each of us; a relationship that will never die; one based in honesty, integrity, and trust that will last not only during good times but also in times of trial and struggle.

Let us call to mind this Gospel passage and think about the many times God has called us in varied ways to follow Him. Each time He calls may we grow closer to Him and boldly proclaim to others, “We have found the Messiah.”

Deacon Mark Izzo, Permanent Deacon

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.

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 am I, 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.

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.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.