2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Commentary 

1st Reading: 2 SM 3:3-10, 19

In the Hebrew tradition, names were very important. Each name revealed an identity. It would often express a certain purpose for the individual.

The name Samuel, as in our reading today, means, “Name of God.” It can also mean, “God has heard.”

It is interesting to note that Samuel was called by God even though he was young and not “even familiar with the Lord.”

There is something very new and beautiful about the introduction of this young prophet. Sharing the “Name of God,” he shares the identity of the Lord Himself who begins something new. Recall that it is Samuel who anoints the first two kings of Israel: Saul and David. In essence, it is as if God Himself is taking charge by picking this person out of obscurity to begin something incredibly new.

In times past, Catholic families were expected to choose a Christian name for their children at Baptism. While this practice is still encouraged, we recognize that each person baptized is called by the most important name of all: Christian.

May we bear the name of Christ always as we are called and sent on His mission!

Question:

What does your name mean?

2nd Reading: Cor 6:13-15, 17-20

As our Christian name gives us our identity, our faith and

Baptism in the Lord give us our essence.

We are not merely Christian in name. Through the grace of Baptism, we are Christian in fact. Now, we have a share in the divinity of Christ who humbled Himself to share in our humanity.

This is why St. Paul reminds us that our “bodies are members of Christ.”

We should remember that when we were baptized, our whole human nature was “born again.” Not just our soul, but our body as well.

Many Christians have the idea that when we die, we will no longer have need of our body. But, this is bad Christian theology. In fact, we were designed to be human (body and soul), and we are to be redeemed as fully human as we share in the divine nature of Christ. When the Lord comes again in glory, He will raise us up – body and soul – in a glorified way.

Question:

Do you see your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit?

Gospel: John 1:35-42

John the Baptist calls Jesus the “Lamb of God.” The disciples call the Lord “Rabbi (teacher).” Andrew calls Jesus the “Messiah.” Jesus calls Simon “Peter” (meaning, rock).

Our Church has always celebrated the threefold mission of Jesus Christ as Priest, Prophet, and King. 1) As Priest, Jesus lays down His life freely as the sacrificial “Lamb of God.” 2) As Prophet, Jesus is the greatest “Rabbi-Teacher” of Truth, for He is Truth Himself. 3) As King, Jesus is the long awaited “Messiah” who comes to set us free.

This threefold mission of Christ is the mission of the Church. For this reason, we see how the name of Peter is closely associated with the names given to Jesus in these few versus at the beginning of John’s Gospel.

As Church, we accompany Jesus on mission, for He is our head and (as St. Paul reminds us in the Second Reading), we are members of His Body. Sent by the Holy Spirit, the whole Christ, head and members, are on the same mission.

As Church, we all participate in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly (or Royal) mission of Jesus the Christ.

Question:

How do you fit within the mission of Christ and His Church?

This Week’s Task  

1. Make a commitment to live out your priestly calling by attending Mass every Sunday.

2. Make a commitment to live out your prophetic calling by reflecting on the Truth as you read the Bible

3. Make a commitment to live out your kingly-royal calling by administering the mercy of Christ to others through forgiveness and acts of

Group Prayer

As participants in the mission of Christ, the group slowly prays the following dismissals (heard at Mass):

• Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.

• Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

• Go in peace.

The prayer continues with Psalm 40

Psalm 

Response: 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.

Conclude with an Our Father  

Used with permission. All rights reserved. Christ in Our Neighborhood is a Scripture program designed by Bishop John P. Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix.