Meditation: John 1:29-34

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Behold, the Lamb of God. (John 1:29)

Every Sunday, just before we receive the Eucharist, the priest invites us to “Behold the Lamb of God; behold him who takes away the sin of the world.” He invites us to fix our eyes, our hearts, and our whole selves on Jesus. He invites us to say, “This Jesus died for every sin that has been committed or will be committed—he died for every sin that I or anyone else will commit.”

Have you ever seen a story on television about a child who walked into the street and was tragically killed by a speeding car? If so, the story probably left you feeling sad for the child and his family, even though you don’t even know them. But everything would be dramatically different if it were your child who was killed by that speeding car. Instead of feeling sad, you would feel crushed. The pain would stretch on for weeks, months, even years. You might never be able to forget the tragedy.

This is a good way for us to grasp what it means to “Behold Jesus.” Beholding Jesus is not just a good thing to do. It’s not a routine. It’s not just a fleeting moment on Sunday morning in the middle of your busy life. Beholding Jesus involves embracing what Jesus has done for us. It involves remembering what your life would be like without him.

Twice in today’s Gospel, John says, “I did not know him” (John 1:31, 33). Still, John was able to recognize Jesus when he arrived. That’s why he said, “Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God” (1:34). The Holy Spirit revealed Jesus to him in a dramatic and deep way, and it changed his life.

A similar thing can happen to us at Mass today. Jesus wants to open our eyes at the “breaking of the bread” so that we might know him more deeply (Luke 24:35). So when you receive Communion today, make it a point to behold Jesus. Then ask him to reveal himself to you.

“Jesus, you are the Lamb of God. Come, Lord, and open my eyes!”

Isaiah 49:3, 5-6
Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-10
1 Corinthians 1:1-3

A Christian Pilgrim

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

(A biblical refection on THE 2^ndORDINARY SUNDAY (YEAR A) – 15 January 2017)

Gospel Reading: John 1:29-34

First Reading: Isaiah 49:3,5-6; Psalms: Psalm 40:2,4,7-10; Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3

The Scripture Text

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, for He was before me.’ I myself did not know Him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that He might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness, “I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on Him. I 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.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:29-34 RSV)

Today’s readings give us some biblical nicknames for Jesus.

In the first reading, Isaiah calls Him God’s Servant, and then proceeds to identify His mission. Through His Servant the Lord will show His glory, gather Israel back to Himself, and reveal His light to all the nations.

In the Gospel, John the Baptist dubs Jesus as the Lamb of God, and then he, too, goes on to describe the Savior’s mission. As the Lamb of God, Jesus will take away the sin of the world, baptize with the Holy Spirit and demonstrate that He is in fact God’s Chosen One.

In his Pelican commentary on this Gospel, John Marsh concludes that in this one word lamb, the evangelist had drawn together overtones of meaning from Old Testament prophecy, current Passover practices and the apocalyptic hopes of the times.

First, Old Testament prophecy. In Isaiah 53 the Servant is crushed for our sins and is led like a lamb to the slaughter. Nevertheless, because of his suffering he will take away the sins of many and win pardon for their offenses.

Second, current Passover practices. Every year the Jews re-enacted the Paschal story of Exodus 12. They slaughtered a year-old male lamb without blemish and sprinkled its blood on their doorposts. They then prayed that the Lord would pass over their homes as He destroyed their oppressors.

Third, the lamb in apocalyptic literature. In the book of Revelation the lamb is first slain as a victim for our redemption but then becomes a victorious conqueror who takes His seat upon God’s throne.

Now that we know where John the Baptist got his nickname for Jesus, so what? Let’s face it – the Lamb of God is not exactly a popular title suggesting strength, such as Richard the Lionhearted. But if we look more closely, we will see that the title Lamb of God does, in fact, stand for courage.

Although the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53 went in silence to his sacrifice, he also went in strength and by his own choice. As followers of Jesus, can we take up our cross freely, with dignity, and in strength?

The paschal lamb was a means of liberation for God’s Chosen People from the oppression of Egypt. To be a disciple of the Lamb implies that we accept the challenges of liberation – whether from economic injustice or racial bigotry.

The Lamb of the Book of Revelation is a conquering Lamb – a Lamb who makes war on poverty and hunger, and who battles against immorality and corruption. We witness to the Lamb every time we fight for human rights, stand up for decency and protest incompetence in government.

The Lamb of God is more that a nickname. It is a challenge for us to keep on taking away the sins of the world so that it can truly be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Source: Fr. Albert Cylwicki CSB, HIS WORD RESOUNDS, Makati, Philippines: St. Paul Publications, 1991, pages 45-47.

Prayer: Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world: grant us peace. Amen.