First Sunday of the Great Fast: The Sunday of Orthodoxy, Tone 4; Our Holy Father Leo, Pope of Rome (461)
Great Fast Day 7. The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated today.
Read
Hebrews 11:24-26,32-40; 12:1-2; John 1:43-51
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Come and see – what powerful words directed to each one of us. Come and see – invites us not to take the word of another but to see for ourselves the truth. The words spoken by Philip to his brother Nathanael in today’s gospel reading can just as easily be directed to each one of us today. We human beings are rather skeptical creatures whenever we are told of something that we personally find difficult to believe. No matter who tells us what we think that if it is too good to be true then it isn’t – so we don’t believe. Do not think such an attitude is unusual. We all do it.
Come and see – Christ directs these words to you and me. The challenge in these words is to see things clearly without distortion and without confusion. Come and see goodness; come and see love; come and see sacrifice; come and see suffering; come and see good overcome evil and above all come and see the kingdom of heaven. These are the things that we will see when we seek out Christ.
Let us not wait for a “right moment” to encounter Christ, but cease every opportunity to search for Him. God simply wants you now. Come and see.