Posted by The WORD in other words (2018) by Fr Eliseo Yyance SVD – Divine Word School of Semirara, Antique
January 4 – Before Epiphany
In January, 1972 our parish priest, Fr. Paul Scholl, SVD, told me he was taking me to Manila. Out of excitement about finally seeing Manila and being on a plane, I said yes. Only to find out that in Manila, the seminary entrance examination and interview awaited me. I passed both with God’s grace. And so, my priestly and religious vocation started that way.
In today’s Gospel we hear about how the first two disciples got to follow Jesus. They decided to act on what they had heard from John. They followe Jesus, though they had not met him personally at first.
Indeed, the path of discipleship can develop in a variety of ways. In cases where a person receives a sudden grace of conversion, it is easy to identify the major turning point. But often we are led more subtly and gradually along the way of faith. The case of Andrew and his companion represent all people who are attracted to what is good and true and are willing to be led, even if they do not know the Lord.
Our calling is definitely a grace from God – that moment is chosen by the Lord, not by us. We must encounter Jesus personally. Jesus did not allow the first two disciples to continue following him anonymously. He turned to them and asked them directly, “What are you looking for?”
This is the same question Jesus is asking us today. What are we looking for? If we are looking for something tosatisfy our selfish desires, we will soon grow weary of following Jesus. But if we are seeking freedom, or truth, or beauty, or love, or peace, we will find them in abundance with the Lord.
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