2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time (Español) (Vietnamese)

Our commentary this week is provided by Auxiliary Bishop John Dolan of the Diocese of San Diego. For a PDF version, visit http://www.christ-ion.com

Opening prayer

Father in Heaven, as your Spirit of Truth, Love, and Mercy

sent your Son on Mission, we are called and sent by the

same Spirit to carry on the mission of Jesus Christ. Help us

not to fear our calling but celebrate our share in the

proclamation of the Good News. Amen.

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: 1 Cor 6:13-15, 17-20

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

baptism in the Lord gives 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

three-fold 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 three-fold 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?

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 daily.

3) Make a commitment to live out your kingly-royal calling

by administering the mercy of Christ to others through

forgiveness and acts of charity.

Group Prayer

As participants on the Mission of Christ, the group prays the

following dismissals (heard at Mass) slowly:

• 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

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 I am, 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