Sunday Commentary
Last Sunday
From Word to Eucharist
Word to Eucharist: We have come forward, like John’s disciples, at the Lord’s call.Β It remains for us to see, not as anonymous places in a waiting line but as long-time searchers.
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Sunday Introduction
2B Ordinary Time
Liturgical and pastoral resources from National Catholic Reporter’s Celebration 2018 archive. Each Saturday, NCR publishes reflections on the Sunday readings for the current year.
First Reading
2B Ordinary Time

βSpeak, for your servant is listening.β β 2 Samuel 3:10
Key Points
Here I am. You called me.
1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19
- The reading from 1 Samuel tells the story of the call of Samuel.
- Samuelβs response to Godβs call comes only after some confusion.
- Eli understands that it is God who is calling and instructs Samuel to respond in the proper way.
SOURCE: Our Sunday Visitor
Reflections
Tips for Readers
Focal Themes
Bible Study
God’s Revelation to Samuel
Responsorial Psalm
2B Ordinary Time

I have waited, waited for the LORD, and he stooped toward me and heard my cry. He draws me up from the pit of destruction, out of the muddy clay, sets my feet upon rock, steadies my steps β Psalm 40:2-3
Here I am, Lord, I come to do your will
Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10
The response of the true disciple is an unqualified acceptance of Godβs will: βHere I am, Lord. I come to do your will.β
Β©2020 Fr. Eamon Tobin. Used with permission.
God’s timing is worth waiting for
40:1-5 Godβs timing is always worth waiting for. If we look to him for help, he will rescue us from destruction and despair and from the things that hold us down. He will also bring stability to our life so we can move forward again with confidence and joy. If we are to experience Godβs best for our life (which far exceeds anything we can imagine), we need to rely on him alone and avoid any entanglements with those who could lead us away from God and his plan for us.
Β©2017 National Catholic Reporter. All Rights Reserved. Sr. Mary McGlone is a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet. 2017 Reflections, 2020 Reflections can be read at National Catholic Reporter website.
Focal Themes
Bible Study
Humility and Obedience is the Valued Sacrifice
In the Psalm Reading, attributed to David, he expresses his understanding that the Lord wants willing obedience and humble contrition from sinners. He acknowledges that the kind of sacrifice that is pleasing to God is the sacrifice of self-interest in a relationship in which love of God comes before love of self.
This psalm, attributed to David, expresses his gratitude for what God has done for him.Β He begins with a confession of his distress as he waited for the Lord to help him.Β The Lord heard him in his time of need and delivered him.Β In response, he expresses his gratitude as God inspires him in singing “a new song” that is a hymn that of praise to God in this psalm (verse 4).
7 Sacrifice or offering you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me.Β Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;
It is through his intimate relationship with the Lord that the psalmist understands the true meaning of sacrificial offerings made in the liturgy of worship.Β It is not the animal the Lord wants as a sin sacrifice.Β God wants the willing obedience of the offerer in living within the boundaries of His commandments, and He wants the humble contrition of the sinner whose true sacrifice is the sacrifice of self-interest in a relationship in which love of God comes before love of self (verses 7-8).
8 then said I, “Behold I come. Β In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,9 to do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!”
In verses 8-9, the psalmist addresses God directly, announcing that his joy comes from living in obedience to the precepts of the Law.Β The Law isn’t just words on a page (scroll), but it is the path of life that God has engraved on his heart.
10 I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
In addition to keeping the commandments, the psalmist understands that his dedication to God must be active and not passive, vocal and not silent.Β He must proclaim the goodness of God in the liturgical assembly of worship, testifying to others about the good things God has done for him.Β This is the visual and active commitment that Jesus spoke of in His last homily when He said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments (Jn 14:15) and what St. James encouraged in his New Testament letter to the universal Church, writing, For just as body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead (Jam 2:26).
Agape Bible Study by Michal E. Hunt; used with permission.
Second Reading
2B Ordinary Time

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. β 1 Corinthians 6:19
Key Points
You belong to Christ.
1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20
- The second reading begins Paulβs First Letter to the Corinthians.Β Paul wants the community members to change their ways.
- Paul stresses that our bodies are made holy by the indwelling of Godβs Spirit.
- Everything we do must give glory to God.
SOURCE: Our Sunday Visitor
Reflections
Tips for Readers
Focal Themes
Bible Study
The Body of the Baptized is the Temple of the Holy Spirit
Gospel Reading
2B Ordinary Time

Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, βWhat are you looking for?β They said to him, βRabbiβ (which translated means Teacher), βwhere are you staying?β 39He said to them, βCome, and you will see.β β John 1:38-39a
Key Points
We have found the Messiah!
Jn 1:35-42
- John the Baptistβs role, to point toward Jesus, is clearly shown in todayβs Gospel.
- The two disciples who follow Jesus ask him, “Where are you staying?”
- Jesus responds with, “Come and see,” an invitation to follow him.
SOURCE: Our Sunday Visitor
Reflections
Tips for Readers
Focal Themes
Bible Study
Andrew and Simon-Peter meet Jesus
Catena Aurea
2B Ordinary Time
The Catena Aurea (Golden Chain) is Thomas Aquinas’ compilation of Patristic commentary on the Gospels. It seamlessly weaves together extracts from various Church Fathers.
Jn 1:35-42
CHRYSOSTOM. (Hom. xviii. [al. xvii.] 1) Many not having attended to Johnβs words at first, he rouses them a second time: Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples.
BEDE. (Hom. in Vigil. S. And.) John stood, because he had ascended that citadel of all excellences, from which no temptations could cast him down: his disciples stood with him, as stout-hearted followers of their master.
CHRYSOSTOM. (Hom. xviii. [al. xvii.] c. 2) But wherefore went he not all about, preaching in every place of Judæa; instead of standing near the river, waiting for His coming, that he might point Him out? Because he wished this to be done by the works of Christ Himself. And observe how much greater an effort was produced; He struck a small spark, and suddenly it rose into a flame. Again, if John had gone about and preached, it would have seemed like human partiality, and great suspicion would have been excited. Now the Prophets and Apostles all preached Christ absent; the former before His appearance in the flesh, the latter after His assumption. But He was to be pointed out by the eye, not by the voice only; and therefore it follows: And looking upon Jesus us He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
THEOPHYLACT. Looking he saith, as if signifying by his looks his love and admiration for Christ.
AUGUSTINE. (Tr. vii. c. 8) John was the friend of the Bridegroom; he sought not his own glory, but bare witness to the truth. And therefore he wished not his disciples to remain with him, to the hindrance of their duty to follow the Lord; but rather shewed them whom they should follow, saying, Behold the Lamb of God.
CHRYSOSTOM. (Hom. xviii. 1. in Joan) He makes not a long discourse, having only one object before him, to bring them and join them to Christ; knowing that they would not any further need his witness. (c. 2.). John does not however speak to his disciples alone, but publicly in the presence of all. And so, undertaking to follow Christ, through this instruction common to all, they remained thenceforth firm, following Christ for their own advantage, not as an act of favour to their masterx. John does not exhort: he simply gazes in admiration on Christ, pointing out the gifty He came to bestow, the cleansing from sin: and the mode in which this would be accomplished: both of which the word Lamb testifies to. Lamb has the article affixed to it, as a sign of preeminence.
AUGUSTINE. (Tr. vii. c. 5) For He alone and singly is the Lamb without spot, without sin; not because His spots are wiped off, but because He never had a spot. He alone is the Lamb of God, for by His blood alone can men be redeemed. (c. 6). This is the Lamb whom the wolves fear; even the slain Lamb, by whom the lion was slain.
BEDE. (Hom. 1) The Lamb therefore he calls Him; for that He was about to give us freely His fleece, that we might make of it a wedding garment; i. e. would leave us an example of life, by which we should be warmed into love.
ALCUIN. John stands in a mystical sense, the Law having ceased, and Jesus comes, bringing the grace of the Gospel, to which that same Law bears testimony. Jesus walks, to collect disciples.
BEDE. (Hom. in Vigil. S. And.) The walking of Jesus has a reference to the economy of the Incarnation, by means of which He has condescended to come to us, and give us a pattern of life.
ALCUIN. John having borne witness that Jesus was the Lamb of God, the disciples who had been hitherto with him, in obedience to his command, followed Jesus: And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
CHRYSOSTOM. (Hom. xviii. 1 et sq.) Observe; when he said, He that cometh after me is made before me, and, Whose shoeβs latchet I am not worthy to unloose, he gained over none; but when he made mention of the economy, and gave his discourse a humbler turn, saying, Behold the Lamb of God, then his disciples followed Christ. For many persons are less influenced by the thoughts of Godβs greatness and majesty, than when they hear of His being manβs Helper and Friend; or any thing pertaining to the salvation of men. Observe too, when John says, Behold the Lamb of God, Christ says nothing. The Bridegroom stands by in silence; others introduce Him, and deliver the Bride into His hands; He receives her, and so treats her that she no longer remembers those who gave her in marriage. Thus Christ came to unite to Himself the Church; He said nothing Himself; but John, the friend of the Bridegroom, came forth, and put the Brideβs right hand in His; i. e. by his preaching delivered into His hands menβs souls, whom receiving He so disposed of, that they returned no more to John. And observe farther; As at a marriage the maiden goes not to meet the bridegroom, (even though it be a kingβs son who weds a humble handmaid,) but he hastens to her; so is it here. For human nature ascended not into heaven, but the Son of God came down to human nature, and took her to His Fatherβs house. Again; There were disciples of John who not only did not follow Christ, but were even enviously disposed toward Him; but the better part heard, and followed; not from contempt of their former master, but by his persuasion; because he promised them that Christ would baptize with the Holy Ghost. And see with what modesty their zeal was accompanied. They did not straight way go and interrogate Jesus on great and necessary doctrines, nor in public, but sought private converse with Him; for we are told that Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? Hence we learn, that when we once begin to form good resolutions, God gives us opportunities enough of improvement. Christ asks the question, not because He needed to be told, but in order to encourage familiarity and confidence, and shew that He thought them worthy of His instructions.
THEOPHYLACT. (in loc.) Observe then, that it was upon those who followed Him, that our Lord turned His face and looked upon them. Unless thou by thy good works follow Him, thou shalt never be permitted to see His face, or enter into His dwelling.
ALCUIN. The disciples followed behind His back, in order to see Him, and did not see His face. So He turns round, and, as it were, lowers His majesty, that they might be enabled to behold His face.
ORIGEN. (tom. ii. c. 29) Perhaps it is not without a reason, that after six testimonies John ceases to bear witness, and Jesus asks seventhly, What seek ye?
CHRYSOSTOM. (Hom. xviii. in Joan. sparsim) And besides following Him, their questions shewed their love for Christ; They said unto Him, Rabbi, (which is, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest Thou? They call Him, Master, before they have learnt any thing from Him; thus encouraging themselves in their resolution to become disciples, and to shew the reason why they followed.
ORIGEN. An avowal, befitting persons who came from hearing Johnβs testimony. They put themselves under Christβs teaching, and express their desire to see the dwelling of the Son of God.
ALCUIN. They do not wish to be under His teaching for a time only, but enquire where He abides; wishing an immediate initiation in the secrets of His word, and afterwards meaning often to visit Him, and obtain fuller instruction. And, in a mystical sense too, they wish to know in whom Christ dwells, that profiting by their example they may themselves become fit to be His dwelling. Or, their seeing Jesus walking, and straightway enquiring where He resides, is an intimation to us, that we should, remembering His Incarnation, earnestly entreat Him to shew us our eternal habitation. The request being so good a one, Christ promises a free and full disclosure. He saith unto them, Come and see: that is to say, My dwelling is not to be understood by words, but by works; come, therefore, by believing and working, and then see by understanding.
ORIGEN. (tom. ii. c. 29) Or perhaps come, is an invitation to action; see, to contemplation.
CHRYSOSTOM. (Hom. xviii. [al. xvii.] 3) Christ does not describe His house and situation, but brings them after Him, shewing that he had already accepted them as His own. He says not, It is not the time now, to-morrow ye shall hear if ye wish to learn; but addresses them familiarly, as friends who had lived with him a long time. But how is it that He saith in another place, The Son of man hath not where to lay His head? (Matt. 8:20) when here He says, Come and see where I live? His not having where to lay His head, could only have meant that He had no dwelling of His own, not that He did not live in a house at all: for the next words arc, They came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day. Why they stayed the Evangelist does not say: it being obviously for the sake of His teaching.
AUGUSTINE. (Tr. vii. c. 9) What a blessed day and night was that! Let us too build up in our hearts within, and make Him an house, whither He may come and teach us.
THEOPHYLACT. And it was about the tenth hour. The Evangelist mentions the time of day purposely, as a hint both to teachers and learners, not to let time interfere with their work.
CHRYSOSTOM. (Hom. xviii. 3) It shewed a strong desire to hear Him, since even at sunset they did not turn from Him. To sensual persons the time after meals is unsuitable for any grave employment, their bodies being overloaded with food. But John, whose disciples these were, was not such an one. His evening was a more abstemious one than our mornings.
AUGUSTINE. (Tr. vii. c. 10) The number here signifies the law, which was composed of ten commandments. The time had come when the law was to be fulfilled by love, the Jews, who acted from fear, having been unable to fulfil it, and therefore was it at the tenth hour that our Lord heard Himself called, Rabbi; none but the giver of the law is the teacher1 of the law.
CHRYSOSTOM. (Hom. xviii. 3) One of the two which heard John speak and followed Him was Andrew, Simon Peterβs brother. Why is the other name left out? Some say, because this Evangelist himself was that other. Others, that it was a disciple of no eminence, and that there was no use in telling his name any more than those of the seventy-two, which are omitted.
ALCUIN. Or it would seem that the two disciples who followed Jesus were Andrew and Philip.
CHRYSOSTOM. (Chrys. Hom. xix. 1) Andrew kept not our Lordβs words to himself; but ran in haste to his brother, to report the good tidings: He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
BEDE. (Hom. in Vig. St. Andr.) This is truly to find the Lord; viz. to have fervent love for Him, together with a care for our brotherβs salvation.
CHRYSOSTOM. (Hom. xix. [al. xviii.] 1) The Evangelist docs not mention what Christ said to those who followed Him; but we may infer it from what follows. Andrew declares in few words what he had learnt, discloses the power of that Master Who had persuaded them, and his own previous longings after Him. For this exclamation, We have found, expresses a longing for His coming, turned to exultation, now that He was really come.
AUGUSTINE. (Tr. vii. c. 13) Messias in Hebrew, Christus in Greek, Unctus in Latin. Chrism is unction, and He had a special unction, which from Him extended to all Christians, as appears in the Psalm, God, even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows1. (Ps. 44, [45]) All holy persons arc partakers with Him; but He is specially the Holy of Holies, specially anointed.
CHRYSOSTOM. (Hom. xix. 1, 2) And therefore he said not Messias, but the Messias. Mark the obedience of Peter from the very first; ho went immediately without delay, as appears from the next words: And he brought him to Jesus. Nor let us blame him as too yielding, because he did not ask many questions, before he received the word. It is reasonable to suppose that his brother had told him all, and sufficiently fully; but the Evangelists often make omissions for the sake of brevity. But, besides this, it is not absolutely said that he did believe, but only, He took him to Jesus; i. e. to learn from the mouth of Jesus Himself, what Andrew had reported. Our Lord begins now Himself to reveal the things of His Divinity, and to exhibit them gradually by prophecy. For prophecies are no less persuasive than miracles; inasmuch as they are preeminently Godβs work, and are beyond the power of devils to imitate, while miracles may be phantasy or appearance: the foretelling future events with certainty is an attribute of the incorruptible nature alone: And when Jesus beheld him, He said, Thou art Simon the son of Jonas; thou shall be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
BEDE. (Hom. i. Temp. Hier. in Vig. S. Andr.) He beheld him not with His natural eye only, but by the insight of His Godhead discerned from eternity the simplicity and greatness of his soul, for which he was to be elevated above the whole Church. In the word Peter, we must not look for any additional meaning, as though it were of Hebrew or Syriac derivation; for the Greek and Latin word Peter, has the same meaning as Cephas; being in both languages derived from petra. He is called Peter on account of the firmness of his faith, in cleaving to that Rock, of which the Apostle speaks, And that Rock was Christ; (1 Cor. 10:4) which secures those who trust in it from the snares of the enemy, and dispenses streams of spiritual gifts.
AUGUSTINE. (Tr. vii. c. 14) There was nothing very great in our Lord saying whose son he was, for our Lord knew the names of all His saints, having predestinated them before the foundation of the world. But it was a great thing for our Lord to change his name from Simon to Peter. Peter is from petra, rock, which rock is the Church: so that the name of Peter represents the Church. And who is safe, unless he build upon a rock? Our Lord here rouses our attention: for had he been called Peter before, we should not have seen the mystery of the Rock, and should have thought that he was called so by chance, and not providentially. God therefore made him to be called by another name before, that the change of that name might give vividness to the mystery.
CHRYSOSTOM. (Hom. xix. [al. xviii. 2]) He changed the name too to shew that He was the same who done so before in the Old Testament; who had called Abram Abraham, Sarai Sarah, Jacob Israel. Many He had named from their birth, as Isaac and Samson; others again after being named by their parents, as were Peter, and the sons of Zebedee. Those whose virtue was to be eminent from the first, have names given them from the first; those who were to be exalted afterwards, are named afterwards.
AUGUSTINE. (de Con. Evang. l. ii. c. 17) The account here of the two disciples on the Jordan, who follow Christ (before he had gone into Galilee) in obedience to Johnβs testimony; viz. of Andrew bringing his brother Simon to Jesus, who gave him, on this occasion, the name of Peter; disagrees considerably with the account of the other Evangelists, viz. that our Lord found these two, Simon and Andrew, fishing in Galilee, and then bid them follow Him: unless we understand that they did not regularly join our Lord when they saw Him on the Jordan; but only discovered who He was, and full of wonder, then returned to their occupations. Nor must we think that Peter first received his name on the occasion mentioned in Matthew, when our Lord says, Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build My Church; (Mat. 16:18) but rather when our Lord says, Thou shall be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
ALCUIN. Or perhaps He does not actually give him the name now, but only fixes beforehand what He afterwards gave him when He said, Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build My Church. And while about to change his name, Christ wishes to shew that even that which his parents had given him, was not without a meaning. For Simon signifies obedience, Joanna grace, Jona a dove: as if the meaning was; Thou art an obedient son of grace, or of the dove, i. e. the Holy Spirit; for thou hast received of the Holy Spirit the humility, to desire, at Andrewβs call, to see Me. The elder disdained not to follow the younger; for where there is meritorious faith, there is no order of seniority.
SOURCE: eCatholic 2000Commentary in public domain.
Faith Sharing
Baptism of the Lord (B)

Introductory video to this Sunday by Larry Broding at Word-Sunday.com.
Directions: On this page you will find questions on the Sunday Readings that can be used in RCIA or Faith Sharing groups. Clicking on the PDF icons at bottom right will give participants additional commentary and resources.
Word Sunday
by Larry Broding
Small Group Questions
by Fr. Eamon Tobin
1. Share with the group or person next to you what spoke to you most in the Gospel. With this first question try to refrain from commenting on what others said. Just share what spoke to you and then move on to the next person.
2. The young Samuel needed Eli to help him recognize the voice of the Lord. Who or what has helped you to be a hearer of Godβs Word?
3. In the second reading, Paul focuses on sexual promiscuity occurring in Corinth, an issue that is still a big problem in our day. Besides condemning it, how should the Church address this issue?
4. How would you respond if Jesus were to ask you, βWhat are you looking for?β
5. How easy or hard is it for you to introduce others to Christ or to share your faith?
6. What is Jesus saying to you in the gospel about how a Christian disciple should act?
Β©2020 Fr. Eamon Tobin. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.
Discussion Questions
by Fr. Clement Thibodeau
1. Does the Church need to be pointed in the right direction periodically?
- In what ways does the Church community need to go and see what Jesus is all about?
- What are some of the values that the community needs to absorb again at this period in its history?
- What about the Catholic parish to which you belong?
- Does it need to be renewed by staying with Jesus?
2. Who played the role of Andrew in your life?
- Who brought you to Jesus Christ? By what means? Was it by the shining quality of his or her life? Was it by preaching? Was it by formal teaching? Was it by praying? Was it because they loved you?
- How gentle was the invitation?
- Some who brought us to faith later faltered in their own faithfulness. Have you had that happen on your journey? What effect did it have on you?
3. Have you ever brought anyone to Jesus like Andrew did? Was it a member of your family? Is it harder to do for oneβs own family?
- Do you have a strategy for inviting others to consider Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?
- What is your technique as an evangelizer?
- Do you realize that it is really God who does the calling and that you are just a mouthpiece for God? (Do you understand that one who speaks for God is a prophet?)
Β© 2017 Portland Diocese / Father Clement D. Thibodeau. Used with permission.
Bible Study Questions
by Vince Contreras
1. What motivated the disciples of John to follow Jesus? Why didnβt John follow after the One he pointed others to?
2. In light of verses 30 and 31, how do you think John felt when his disciples left him for Jesus? In what ways are you called in humility to βdecreaseβ so that Jesus can βincreaseβ?
3. How do you picture Andrew and Johnβs first encounter with Jesus? Who was the first to speak? What tone of voice do you think he used?
4. How do you think Simon felt when Jesus changed his name to Kepha (meaning βRockβ)? What significant event did this early encounter anticipate (Matthew 16:13-19)?
5. What is your response to the Andrews of the world to βcome and seeβ Jesus in the circumstances of your everyday life? How can you βstay with himβ throughout the day?
6. Can you, like Andrew, say, βWe have found the Messiahβ? How or where have you found him? How can you further imitate Andrew to share the Lord?