5 January, Friday — Come and See

Friday before Epiphany

1 Jn 3:11-21
Jn 1:43-51

“You will see greater things than that….I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.”

We are getting close to the Epiphany of the Lord (in 3 days!). That’s when Jesus is revealed to be the Son of God, the Messiah, the Saviour we have been waiting for. This is different from Christmas, as that celebrates of the birth of Christ. Epiphany celebrates the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God, near the beginning of His public ministry of salvation.

Today’s first reading is closely related to the Gospel reading. The first reading describes how love leads to life. The refusal to love leads to death. Love is not just of words of feelings. Love is real and active. It must be words leading to actions. St. Thomas Aquinas said, “Love is willing the good of other as others”. He does not mean that simply by wishing them well. It goes deeper.

What is the ultimate good? God is. He is all Good, all Holy and all Perfect. God is love. Therefore, by wishing the good of others, we need to lead them to God, in order for them to receive the ultimate good.

Just like Andrew told Peter (when he was still called Simon) that he has found the Messiah, Philip found Nathanael and told him about Jesus. When Nathanael was skeptical, Philip told him to “come and see”. 

There is a great reminder and teaching here for all of us. It is our responsibility and duty to love others and to act upon that love; we need to bring them to Christ, to come to know God. For this is what God wants, for His children to know and love Him.

Another important point to note, when introducing God to a reluctant audience, we don’t need to be abrasive or aggressive. Simply invite them to come and see. Come and see the goodness of the Lord. Come and see how much God loves each and everyone of us. If we simply live according to God’s Word, that would be the best witnessing that anyone would need.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Winnie Kung)

Prayer: Our most merciful Lord, please grant us the grace of faith and the courage to serve and witness for You. May we love like You love, without counting the cost and for the good of others.

Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your love and mercy. Thank you for loving us to the point where you would send Your only Begotten Son to save us.