Where Do You Live

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious

The next day again John stood, and two of his disciples. And beholding Jesus walking, he saith: Behold the Lamb of God. And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus turning, and seeing them following him, saith to them: What seek you? Who said to him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith to them: Come and see. They came, and saw where he abode, and they stayed with him that day: now it was about the tenth hour. And Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who had heard of John, and followed him. He findeth first his brother Simon, and saith to him: We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And Jesus looking upon him, said: Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is interpreted Peter.
John 1:35-42 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we are witnessing the first call to follow your Son Jesus just by the fact that John the Baptist had said Behold the Lamb of God. And Jesus saying come and see to the question of where he lives. How amazing it all is that when our Priest say these words at Mass, to know that Jesus is present right there with us. How often do we ask Jesus where do you live? Are we afraid he just might say Come and see, rather than say look inside your heart. Even Peter was found by his brother and brought to Jesus. Where his name changed by the grace of God for his new vocation, that of being the head of the Apostles and then the Church as we know it. Today I ask you dear Jesus, where do you live so I may come and be with you, to be a follower and do our Fathers will as you have. May we come to see your presence when we go to Mass as they say Behold the Lamb of God for you are there with and among us. Amen

Come, Follow Me

And behold one came and said to him: Good master, what good shall I do that I may have life everlasting? Who said to him: Why asketh thou me concerning good? One is good, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He said to him: Which? And Jesus said: Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness. Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The young man saith to him: All these I have kept from my youth, what is yet wanting to me?

Jesus saith to him: If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come follow me. And when the young man had heard this word, he went away sad: for he had great possessions.
Matthew 19:16-22 (Douay-Rheims)

Prayer

Dear Father we live in such a materialistic world that letting go of our possessions is the most difficult thing to do. But in a world where we are slowly removing you from our sphere, it is all the more harder to come and follow Jesus when we lack faith. You gave us commandments to follow and live by in the time of Moses when the people needed it. But so do we in our day and yet we break them faster than anything, yet you love us in spite of our sinfulness. Jesus asks us as well as the young man in his day, if we seek to be perfect, go sell what we have and give to the poor, and we will have treasure in heaven, then come and follow me. Can we do this ourselves? Many have! And some have also in another way given it all up to follow Jesus and live completely for him. May we open our hearts to the call of Jesus' voice and hear him when he says come follow me. This is where we will find true joy by following the will of God and taking up our crosses and following his Son.