Tag: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 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.

John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God, and the two disciples immediately follow him. There is no question in the minds of the disciples who Jesus is. They call him teacher. Jesus asks them what they are looking for, and they ask him where he is staying. Speaking in such a way might seem vague or tangential, but the questions they ask relate to the identification of Jesus as the Messiah. In the first reading, John tells us “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.” By following Jesus, the disciples go with him to see where he is staying. By staying with Jesus, they remain in God and God’s seed remains in them. Andrew, one of the two disciples, tells his brother Simon Peter they have found the Messiah. Jesus knows him by name and calls him Cephas, the rock on which the Church will be built.

God, in following the example of the first disciples, I find a way for you to remain in me. “Where are you staying?” the disciples ask Jesus. In asking where he was staying, Jesus hears their yearning and persistence in seeking him. “Come, and you will see.” That invitation leads them to see where your Son lives, that his dwelling place is with you and that he invites all of us to remain with you, on earth in the mystical body of Christ and eternally in our heavenly home. Help me today to hear the same call and be able to respond, saying, “We have found the Messiah.” As Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton said, “Live always in me and let me live perpetually in you and for you, as I live only by you.”

From the responsorial psalm: “Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it; Let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy before the LORD. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.” Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

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.

In today’s Gospel, as Jesus walks by, John the Baptist says to two of his disciples, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples immediately follow Jesus, who asks them what they are looking for. They ask Jesus where he is staying and he tells them, “Come, and you will see.” Andrew tells his brother Simon Peter that they have found the Messiah, and he brings him to Jesus. In calling Simon Peter Cephas, Jesus gives Peter a new identity as the rock on which Jesus will build his church. Just as I received a new name at Confirmation, Jesus invites us to come and stay with him and through his grace gives us a new identity to put on. Or, as Saint Paul says, “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” This gift beyond measure through Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection—how willingly today will I wear that, will I put on Christ?

God, help me understand the work of your Son in your choosing from among the most humble people the first apostles. The Gospel acclamation reveals how you magnified your mercy by coming to us in the person of Christ: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets: in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.” Jesus, you are the Word of God made flesh; you are the Incarnate Word. Whatever you say, then, is spoken into existence. You speak through your Son; your Son speaks, and Simon becomes Peter, the rock on which you build your Church. Lord, create in me today a new identity so that I can recognize and do your will. From Psalm 51, I pray: “A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit.”

Lord, let me be clothed with Christ today. Help me through natural gifts you give me to make good decisions; through supernatural grace, guide me when I lose my way, and restore me to your presence. Lamb of God, have mercy!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://youtu.be/2W-KSOPWWBY

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