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“What is this teaching? Who is this man, really? Where does he come from?” All these questions were swirling around Jesus as he began his public ministry and they would continue until his life and ministry climaxed in his death and resurrection. Today’s liturgy presents the answer: Jesus is the great prophet that Moses promised, and he is the Holy One of God with absolute authority over evil spirits.

God calls and man responds, ready to follow and obey – well, maybe not always! The readings today present calls from the Lord but contrasting responses – first, God’s call to the prophet Jonah, and then Jesus’ call to Simon and Andrew, James and John. Jonah was a most reluctant prophet. But the gospel gives us an example of instant obedience on the part of Jesus’ first followers.

It is fitting that the readings of this Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, in the first weeks of 2021, speak of “firsts” and “new beginnings.” The young boy Samuel, while asleep in the temple, hears the Lord’s voice for the first time and thus begins his prophetic mission. Andrew meets Jesus for the first time and begins to follow him, later to become one of his Twelve Apostles. Today’s readings urge us to hear, encounter, and obey the word of the Lord.

Why, indeed? Jesus had no sin. John’s baptism was one of repentance, but Jesus had no need of repentance. In fact, in Matthew’s account of the Baptism of the Lord (not read this year), John actually tried to prevent Jesus from being baptized by him, saying that the roles should be reversed. Jesus, however, urged John to “go along for now,” and John complied.

I remember seeing this on a bumper sticker (when people still used bumper stickers). Actually, it was one of the better bumper stickers I’ve seen. Some were rather unmentionable!