Come and See

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”

The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he 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 see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).John 1:35-42

Opening your home to others is something we worry about. Many of us like our privacy and worry about our security. We don't open the door to strangers and have front door monitors so that folks won't break in or steal our packages. Yet, the nicest thing someone can do is to open the door to us and welcome us in. To be welcome and fed in another's home is a sweet act of kindness, always remembered.

John the Baptist invites his disciples to know Jesus and in turn, Jesus invites the disciples to his home. Andrew then invites his brother to meet Jesus. In this small sets of exchanges are real acts of liberation and love. John does not hang on to his disciples but sends them to Jesus. Andrew doesn't keep the Teacher to himself but invites Simon, his brother. They have received love and share it freely and Jesus opens his door and heart to them, even renaming Simon, since he saw something remarkable in that man. We are called to invite and welcome, to open doors and share the love we have. The spark of the Holy Spirit is in the simple acts of invitation and welcome.

>Today, I ask God to help me be one who invites and welcomes. May we open our hearts and our homes to those who need the love and solace we have to share.