Lectio Divina – Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Catena Aurea, Jn 1:35-42

St. Augustine (354-430): John was the friend of the Bridegroom; he sought not his own glory, but bore witness to the truth. And therefore he did not wish his disciples to remain with him, to the hindrance of their duty to follow the Lord, but rather showed them whom they should follow.

St. John Chrysostom (c. 347-407): He makes not a long speech, having only one object before him, to bring them and join them to Christ; knowing that they would no longer need his witness. 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 master. John does not exhort: he simply gazes in admiration on Christ, pointing out the gift 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 pre-eminence.

Theophylact (1055-1107): Observe then, that it was upon those who followed Him, that our Lord turned His face and looked upon them. Unless you by your good works follow Him, you shall never be permitted to see His face, or enter into His dwelling.

Alcuin (c. 735- 804): They do not wish to be under His teaching for a time only, but inquire where He stays, 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 inquiring where He resides, is an intimation to us, that we should, remembering His Incarnation, earnestly entreat Him to show us our eternal habitation. The request being so good a one, Christ promises a free and full disclosure. He said to 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.”

St. Augustine (354-430): What a blessed day and night was that! Let us too build up in our hearts within, and make Him a house, to which He may come and teach us.

St. John Chrysostom (c. 347-407): The Evangelist does 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.