The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. – John 1:41-42

       I’ve been privileged to be part of Bo Sanchez’s ministry for the past 10 years. It’s a ministry that reaches thousands of people through print and broadcast media. I’ve shared the stage with him, written for his publications, and appeared on his TV, radio, and Internet programs that reach multitudes.

       However, I still struggle with sharing the Gospel to those closest to me. My immediate family is with me in the Charismatic Renewal, but my close relatives are often the last ones I preach to. Why? Maybe because the cliché is true: familiarity breeds contempt. They know my flaws and imperfections which probably take away a little credibility. It’s also scarier to witness to them because of the potential rejection that will hurt more because they are closer. Lastly, I find that because I’m so busy with ministry, I fail to attend family gatherings. So how can I share Christ if I’m not even physically present?

       Whether or not all these justify it, I’m not sure. All I know is that the first thing Andrew did when he discovered that the Messiah was at hand was to find his brother Simon so he could share Jesus to him. So maybe it’s a good idea to put more energy into evangelizing our family.

Reflect: Have your relatives come to know Christ because of you?

Lord, help me to share Your love to those closest to me. Amen.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious, pray for us.

Righteousness is possible only by the grace of God working in us. There is nothing we can achieve without the help of God (cf. John 15:6). Let us pray for the grace to always seek His help to live in righteousness and receive the gift of salvation that He gives us through Jesus.

7 Children, let no one deceive you. The person who acts in righteousness is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 Whoever sins belongs to the Devil, because the Devil has sinned from the beginning. Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the Devil. 9 No one who is begotten by God commits sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot sin because he is begotten by God. 10 In this way, the children of God and the children of the Devil are made plain; no one who fails to act in righteousness belongs to God, nor anyone who does not love his brother.

R: All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R)7 Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it; 8 Let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy 9 before the Lord. (R) The Lord comes; he comes to rule the earth; He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with equity. (R)

Part of discipleship is coming to Jesus and seeing what it means to be His disciple. We must first understand the demands of discipleship before we can follow Jesus. He invites John’s two disciples to take a look at what it means to follow Him. In the Gospels, Jesus explains the meaning of events in terms of discipleship. Are you ready to follow Jesus? Let’s follow Him together.

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets: in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.

35 John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” 37 The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. 40 Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Christ). 42 Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

think: Do you follow Jesus? What is your reason for following Him?

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Read the Bible in one year Luke 10-12

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________

 ‘ISANG TANONG, ISANG SAGOT’

The best way to understand a nation is through its language. Language reveals the nation’s identity and the psyche of the people. We Filipinos usually express ourselves in a humorous yet sometimes confusing manner. When we ask, “Anong oras na? (What time is it?)” the answer is usually, “Maaga pa (It’s still early).” My favorite is this: “Kumain ka na? (Have you eaten?)” And the answer is, “Busog pa ako (I’m still full).” So, are we humorous or sarcastic, confused or evasive? Don’t we often get the retort, “Isang tanong, isang sagot (One question, one answer)!”

       Truly, a person is known by the questions he asks and not by the answers he gives, which is often unclear. Jesus gives us a sample today of a well-thoughtout question to two former disciples of John the Baptist: “Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘Where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come, and you will see’” (John 1:37-39, NIV).

       Surely the two disciples were not Filipinos, but see how they answered the Lord’s question, “What are you looking for?” with “Rabbi, where are you staying?” On the surface, their reply seems unclear, as if they were at a loss for an answer but eventually, when they began “to come and see” Jesus, they found

within themselves the right answers: truth and meaning in life, salvation, and God Himself. It was a simple yet profound question that Jesus continues to ask us today, especially at this time we are starting a new year.

       Jesus’ answer, “Come and see,” is an invitation to follow Him, to see for ourselves, and to experience the more essential things within us that we are afraid to ask. His invitation is more than enough to keep us searching in life. Now, ask Jesus any question, then reflect on His reply, “Come and see.” Does it mean something to you? Do you recall what He has been asking you to do? Fr. Nick Lalog

------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS -------

What are you looking for in 2018? No matter what your response is, check if it makes sense to take the Lord’s answer, “Come and see.” Does it fit?

Lord Jesus, so many things cloud our thoughts and yes, we do not know what we are looking for. We believe that as we follow You, we shall find the right answers within us. Amen. 

Today, I pray for: _____________________________________