Year: 2024

***

Gospel: John 1: 35-42

John was standing with two of his disciples,
and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God.”
The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.
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?”
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.
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,
was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.
He first found his own brother Simon and told him,
“We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ.
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. 

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, whose feast day we celebrate today, is the first American-born Saint. 

Born into a wealthy Episcopal family in New York City, her life was a series of ups and downs, of heartache and hope.

***

Her mom died when she was three. Her younger sister died a year later.

She was married at the age of 19, but became a penniless widow with five children to raise by the age of 28.

Once filled with fortune and promise, Elizabeth’s life seemed to reach a dead end.

But she believed that God wasn’t finished with her yet. 

Shortly after the death of her husband, she made a leap of faith, converting to Catholicism and becoming a nun. This decision led to a series of firsts.

She established the first American convent for nuns, the first Catholic school, and the first Catholic orphanage in the United States. She also became the namesake of my alma mater, Seton Hall University. 

One act of faith that led to another…and another….and another. By the end of her life, she changed thousands of lives for the better.

***

So, what can Elizabeth Ann Seton teach us today?

***

God always has a plan for our lives. Think of Elizabeth when she was penniless with five children at the age of 28. She had nothing – but she turned to Jesus.

That decision led to life in abundance.

The same can be true for us. When one door closes, another one can open. But sometimes a leap of faith is needed.

As the old saying goes, “Leap and the net will appear.” 

God will never let us down.

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.

***

***

Image credits: (1) simplehealthsource.com (2) National Catholic Register, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (3) Darrell Crewel

***

Gospel: John 1: 29-34

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
He is the one of whom I said,
‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’
I did not know him,
but the reason why I came baptizing with water
was that he might be made known to Israel.”
John testified further, saying,
“I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky
and remain upon him.
I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

What happens when we knock over a bowl of cereal?

***

The milk spills across the table.

***

And what do we do in order to clean it up? 

We rush into the kitchen and grab a roll of paper towels.

I prefer Bounty, “the quilted quicker picker upper.” 

They’ll absorb anything.

***

Think of Jesus like a roll of Bounty paper towels.

In the Gospel, John the Baptist calls him, “The Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.”

Meaning, Jesus has come to clean up the mess we’ve made. Any arguments at home, lies we’ve told, leftover grudges or hurt feelings from the holidays.

He wants to wipe them all away like a puddle of spilt milk, because he is the, “quilted, quicker picker upper.”

***

In order to forgive us, it helps approaching him in confession.

Will we?

***

***

Image credits: (1) Pantocrator, St. Catherine’s Monastery (2) BJ’s Wholesale Club, Bounty (3) iStock

***

Gospel: John 1: 19-28

This is the testimony of John. 
When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him
to ask him, “Who are you?”
he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted,
“I am not the Christ.” 
So they asked him,
“What are you then? Are you Elijah?” 
And he said, “I am not.” 
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.” 
So they said to him,
“Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? 
What do you have to say for yourself?”
He said:
“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’
as Isaiah the prophet said.” 
Some Pharisees were also sent. 
They asked him,
“Why then do you baptize
if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” 
John answered them,
“I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 
This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,
where John was baptizing.

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

“Who are you?” This was what every Jew and scholar of the Law wanted to know about John the Baptist. 

“Who are you? Why are you here? What’s your purpose?”

Questions we all ask about ourselves.

While the answer for each person is unique, there are four things we can all say about ourselves.

***

We are loved by God. So loved that Jesus offers himself for us on a cross.

We are irreplaceable. There never has been and never will be another you. God makes each human being with a unique fingerprint, a singular combination of gifts, talents, personality, and purpose.

We are part of God’s family, the Church. Therefore, we are never alone; we are all parts of a greater whole.

We are a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Through baptism, God makes his home within us. It’s this Spirit who teaches, guides, sanctifies, and supports us through life.

***

So, “Who are you?”

We are unique, created with a singular purpose, like John the Baptist.

Take a few moments today to bring this to prayer. Ask the Lord to reveal why he created you – and what purpose he’s given you today.

***

***

Image credits: (1) Baptism of Our Lord, Andrea Verrocchio (2) Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (3) Upside-Down Savior