Come and See

Christmas Weekday

Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family

John 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. It was about four in the afternoon. 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. 

(Parent)  Reread this part a few times aloud

“They said to Him, ‘Rabbi…where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come, and you will see.’”  

(Parent)  Read this meditation aloud to the family

John’s disciples (who at this point begin to become Jesus’ disciples) have a very important experience and conversation with Jesus.  In these short moments are reflected many of the most important aspects of the Christian life.  Christ asks them what, exactly, they want.  They tell Him that they want to see where he is dwelling.  So Jesus invites them into His life.

Jesus invites us all to “come and see” His inner life, His real self.  Jesus wants us to know Him deeply.  But we can’t know Jesus deeply if we aren’t willing to go where He’s going.  Like the shepherds, Jesus’ very first visitors, so his very first disciples, years later, “went and saw.”  This experience has always been at the heart of the Christian life, and always will be.  The disciples in the Gospel left their plans that day behind, they obeyed Jesus’ invitation immediately, and they left their familiar lives to go somewhere unknown.  Are busyness, disobedience, and love of comfort keeping us from being much closer to Jesus?                

As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)