Gospel Reflection 2020/2021

We are now entering into the 2^nd Sunday in the Ordinary Time. Christmas season has ended: the Star of Bethlehem is no longer seen, the audible voice of the Father speaking from heaven is no longer heard, the Holy Spirit is no longer visible in the form of a dove. At the same time, MCO 2.0 lockdown has kicked in as we struggle to embrace the new ordinary and the new normal.

We do not know when the political upheaval and the COVID-19 pandemic will end.

We do not know where we are heading to.

We do not know what the future holds.

We do not know how to plan and what to expect.

In the Gospel reading this Sunday, John declares, “Look, there is the Lamb of God.” What a timely reminder for all of us! Yes, all things are passing; everything changes. Only Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

In the midst of unknowns, unpredictability and uncertainties, we can only find constancy, consistency and consolations in God alone. When we are not able see the light (of the Star of Bethlehem), hear the voice (speaking from heaven), sense the movement of the Holy Spirit in our life, or when we lose ourselves in the midst of chaos and upheavals, John points us to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God – the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Hearing the declaration of John, two disciples of John – without any hesitation – followed Jesus. Jesus invited them as He is also inviting us to ‘come’, ‘see’ and ‘stay with Him’. The disciples did not just ‘come and see’. They ‘came’. They ‘saw’. And they ‘stayed with Jesus’. That personal encounter and profound experience with Jesus led the disciples to exclaim, “we have found the Messiah!”

How is Jesus present to us today? Here are some concrete ways Jesus is present to us.

He is present to us in the Sacraments, especially in the Holy Eucharist.

He is present to us in the Holy Scriptures, the Word of God.

He is present to us in the community of faith, the Holy Church.

He is present to us in our prayers.

“Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruits.”

[c.f. Jn 15: 5-9]

(Theme for the week of prayer for Christian Unity, 18-25 Jan 2021)

As Jesus invites us to ‘come’, ‘see’ and ‘stay with Him’, let us continue to seek Him and find Him in the Sacraments, in the Word of God, in the Holy Church and in our prayers. And like Andrew, let us share Jesus with our brothers and sisters.

Let our fervent prayer be:

“Lord Jesus, may we always seek You, know You, abide in You and share You.”