Sunday Gospel Reflection by Bishop Parkes: This past week we entered into what is called Ordinary Time on the Church calendar. The word “ordinary” is typically used to describe something that is not particularly special or distinctive. This is definitely not true of the way the Church uses the word.
We are a joyful community of disciples proclaiming the Good News and inviting all people to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.
Read the Gospel reflection by Bishop Parkes below or click here to listen to it.
Come and See
“He said to them, ‘Come, and you will see.’”- John 1:39
This past week we entered into what is called Ordinary Time on the Church calendar. The word “ordinary” is typically used to describe something that is not particularly special or distinctive. This is definitely not true of the way the Church uses the word. During Ordinary Time, our Gospel readings reveal the day-to-day public life and ministry of Jesus. They give us an insight into what His life was like, and how He interacted with those He came into contact with.
This Sunday we read in the Gospel of John, Chapter 1, how Jesus begins to call His disciples. First, He asks a question of those who began to follow Him. He says, “What are you looking for?” They respond by referring to Him as Rabbi or teacher, and then ask Him where He is staying. Jesus says to them, “Come, and you will see.”
This question “What are you looking for?” and the Jesus’ invitation to “Come, and see” are also spoken to you and me. What are you searching for in life? What will fulfill you and give you peace? Where do you look for peace and happiness in your life? Of course, the answer to each of these questions is Jesus Christ - the source of our hope, peace, and joy. Unfortunately, many people fail to recognize this, and spend their lives looking elsewhere.
At the beginning of Ordinary Time, and at the beginning of this new year, Jesus invites you to come and spend some time with Him. He invites you to come to know Him better. He invites you to have a close and personal relationship with Him. Do you have the courage to do so? If the answer is yes, extraordinary things can happen in your life.
Vengan a ver
Él les dijo: “Vengan a ver”. - Jn 1, 39
La semana pasada entramos en lo que se llama el Tiempo Ordinario en el calendario de la Iglesia. La palabra "ordinario" se utiliza típicamente para describir algo que no es particularmente especial o distintivo. Esto definitivamente no es cierto en cuanto a la forma que la Iglesia usa esa palabra. Durante el tiempo ordinario, las lecturas del Evangelio nos revelan la vida pública cotidiana de Jesús y de su ministerio, nos dan una perspectiva sobre cómo era su vida y cómo se relacionaba con las personas que llegaban a su vida.
Este domingo leemos en el capítulo 1 del Evangelio de san Juan cómo Jesús comienza a llamar a sus discípulos. En primer lugar, pregunta a aquellos que comenzaron a seguirlo: "¿Qué buscan?" Ellos le responden dirigiéndose a él con el título de rabino o maestro y luego le preguntan dónde se está quedando. Jesús les responde: "Vengan a ver".
La pregunta "¿Qué estás buscando?" y la invitación de Jesús, "Vengan a ver" también nos interpelan a ti y a mí. ¿Qué buscas en la vida? ¿Qué te satisface y te da paz? ¿Dónde buscas la paz y la felicidad para tu vida? Por supuesto, la respuesta a cada una de estas preguntas es Jesucristo, la fuente de nuestra esperanza, de nuestra paz y de nuestro gozo. Desafortunadamente, muchas personas no reconocen esto y pasan su vida buscando en otros lugares.
Al comienzo del tiempo ordinario y al comienzo de este año nuevo, Jesús te invita a venir y pasar algún tiempo con él. Te invita a que vengas a conocerlo mejor. Te invita a tener una relación cercana y personal con él. ¿Tienes el valor de hacerlo? Si la respuesta es sí, cosas extraordinarias pueden pasar en tu vida.
Reflection by:
Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes is the fifth Bishop of St. Petersburg. Prior to his appointment to the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Bishop Parkes served as the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee from 2012-2016. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Orlando on June 26, 1999. Before answering the call to the priesthood, Bishop Parkes worked for several years in Tampa’s banking industry.
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