Memorial of Elizabeth Ann Seton
1 John 3:7-10
Psalm 98:1, 7-8, 9
John1:35-42
Summary
In John's gospel today we witness John the Baptist literally pointing the way to
Jesus to two of his disciples. Andrew and an unnamed disciple immediately be-
gin to follow Jesus and with inquiring minds, they confidently ask where he is
staying. Jesus in turn invites them to come and see. Andrew finds his brother
Simon who also goes to Jesus. It is here where Christ renames Simon - Cephas
or Peter.
Reflection
It is certainly no accident that Jesus meets Simon who later becomes the foun-
dation for our church, our rock! But somehow when reading today's Gospel their
meeting seems so happenstance. What if John the Baptist had been on a differ-
ent corner that day, what if Simon had been fishing that day, what if, what if,
what if. The New Year is always filled with many what if's and the turn in the cal-
endar always presents the pause necessary to reflect on the what if's in our own
lives. Most years I have some degree of resolutions I plan on in my life but I find
real change is not due to a particular date change but rather the result of thought,
prayers and probably a certain degree of discomfort with something in my life. It
stews and simmers until
finally something occurs
which on the surface
appears out of the blue
and BAM - I am moved
to act. However without
the prayer and reflection
in my life, then the op-
portunity for growth
which surfaces goes
completely unnoticed by
