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http://www.theworkofgod.org/Devotns/Euchrist/HolyMass/gospels.asp?key=105

Year A - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world
John 1:29-34
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’
31 I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.”
32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.
33 I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
34 And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” (NRSV)

Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Testimony of John the Baptist
John knew about the coming Salvation of the Human race, he was preparing the way for my coming and happily testified of me when he saw me entering the waters of the Jordan.

Thousands of years ago, the Israelites had eaten the Passover meal, the spotless lamb that would be their purification before the coming of the angel of death. This was a symbolic meal of the Holy Eucharist, which I would offer to the world as food for the journey of the soul. I myself was to be the sacrificial lamb, the Savior of the world.

He said: Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, but who could really understand at that moment that I was going to take the blame for all sins and be sacrificed as the Lamb of God? I would sprinkle and wash souls with my blood, I would nourish them with the food of life and everyone who would accept me could stand blameless before God the Father.

John was very excited with my appearance and He happily testified of me. He was born before me, yet he said that I was before Him, He knew that I was the Son of God. He declared that he was baptizing with water for repentance, but that my Baptism would be with fire and with the Holy Spirit. He demonstrated his humility by saying that he was not worthy to untie the sandals of my feet, and that he was not worthy to baptize the One who was offering Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. He was a humble man indeed, teaching a saying that everyone should put into practice: “I must diminish so that He may increase”.

My Baptism was a moment of Glory for the Holy Trinity. John gave testimony of the vision of the Heavens being opened and the Spirit of God descending upon me in the shape of a dove, my Father’s voice was heard saying: “You are my beloved Son; in You I am well pleased”.

Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary

Sunday Gospel Reflections

2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Reading I: Isaiah 49:3,5-6 II: 1Cor 1:1-3

Gospel
John 1:29-34

²⁹The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
³⁰This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.'
³¹I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel."
³²And John bore witness, "I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him.
³³I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'
³⁴And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."

Interesting Details

The title "Lamb of God" are mentioned only in John's gospel as John the Baptist proclaims when he sees Jesus appoaching (Jn 1:29 and Jn 1:36). This title may refer to:
* the pascal lamb whose blood saved the people of Israel in the Passover (Ex 12),
* the victorious apocalyptic lamb who would destroy evils in the world (Rv 5-7),
* Jesus is crucified on the afternoon before Passover, this is the time when the pascal lamb are slain, or
* the suffering servant of the Lord who is led to slaughter like a lamb and bears our sins (Is 53).
Jesus is presented as a lamb, not only to bear our sins but also to take away our sins.
The Spirit descends and "remains" upon Jesus. The Spirit staying with Jesus emphasizes the permanent relationship between the Father and the Son, and between the Son and the Christian. Jesus is the permanent bearer of the Spirit.

One Main Point

LAMB OF GOD, WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD

John the Baptist presumably did not know Jesus, but he is the first to bear witness and to proclaim that Jesus is the Lamb of God, who has the power to take away the sins of the world. John testifies as he himself sees and describes the Spirit's descending and remaining upon Jesus.

Reflections

The people who went to John the Baptist on the bank of the Jordan River might have different attitudes: a great number came to be baptized, some by curiosity or just to be with friends, others to question and to criticize.
By my activities in the church or in my community group, who am I in the crowd on the bank of the Jordan River?
Pausing the baptism, humbling himself, directing the attention of people to the person being in sight, John the Baptist courageously steps over his "ego" and acts under the light of the Holy Spirit; he turns himself as an instrument for the Holy Spirit.
What are the motives in my actions?
John the Baptist chooses the most shallow spot in the Jordan River, where people from nations can travel or do business, for his mission. Therefore, the crowd includes not only Israelites, but also people from other countries, other cultures and economics.
Is my mission limited only within my own, my family's, or my group's salvation?