Singing A New Song
(1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98; Jn 1:35-43)
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O sing to the Lord a new song.
That first sentence of the first stanza of the psalm today captures the spirit of the readings: We are to live a new life in Christ, the Lamb of God.
The readings today unfold in a progressive manner. The psalm reminds us God has won the victory, has done marvellous things, has brought us salvation. Our response is to praise God and joyfully sing a new song.
John in the first reading points out it is through Christ that God has won this victory. He is adamant that when we live in Christ, we must be holy, renewed, righteous, reject all sin in our lives, because there is no sin in Christ, and on top of all that, truly love our brothers and sisters. For St. John, to live in Christ, to say the least, calls for a radical transformation of life.
The gospel interaction between John the Baptist, Jesus and the disciples builds on the first two readings. First, John proclaims Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. That clarifies the psalm – now we know who has won the victory. The first question Jesus asks the disciples, “What are you looking for?” is a primal question for all people of all times. What truly are we looking for in life, especially when we turn to false gods of money, fame and power to try to fill the void in our lives?
The reply of the disciples is also critical – “Where do you live?” God does not live up above or out there. In Jesus, God lives within us and among us. The invitation from Jesus illustrates that – “Come and see” – and they went and stayed with him the rest of that day.
This interplay provides us with the means to live out the challenge of John in the first reading – to live in Christ is to be righteous and without sin, because he has no sin in him. When we are looking for Jesus, and staying with Jesus every hour of every day, abiding with him in contemplative prayer, then he will win the victory over sin within us. We simply have to hang on to him and turn to him ever morning for the strength to say “no” to temptation and sin.
Andrew becomes a model for us – first, he believes in Jesus as the Messiah, the first one to do what the Jewish religious leaders were never able to do. Then he evangelized – he brought his brother Simon to the Lord. Simon, in turn, believes and receives a new name, Peter. This newness that Jesus brings to them and to the world, is symbolized by that change of name.
The Eucharist is our best way of both abiding in Jesus and singing a new song, living a new life. We listen to his word and receive his Body and Blood, and are sent out to be like Andrew and bring others to Jesus.
So, let us place our faith in Christ, turn and follow him like Andrew and Peter, strive to live in him, and respond to this love by singing a new song through lives of joyful praise and love for others.
We are to continue to follow and believe in Jesus Christ just like his disciples by singing for joy and happiness. Let it rise into the Kingdom of God; so God could hear our words. Let him speak to us in his own unique way and we should reach out receive his love and experience . The readings is telling us to put our full faith in Christ by believing and following him in his journey . We should accept his teachings and his word of God. Whenever we celebrate the Eucharist and adoring the Holy Eucharist is praise and worshiping God. God is with us by receiving the Communion because he is inside the host or communion. When we are children’s of God and he sent us to spread the Good News and bring more people to Jesus. Jesus is with us all the time , he knows who we are just as long we put our life in his hands. Amen . Rejoice!
Well thanks again Bishop Sylvain for the lovely words and teachings about being with Jesus and putting our faith in Jesus Christ. These are the words we should be hearing everyday. Gracias! Bravo ! Bishop Sylvain