Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Jn 1:29
by Sister Sally Ann Brickner
Today’s Scripture passages from the Prophet Isaiah, St. Paul, and the Gospel of St. John focus on Jesus and his mission.
The Church interprets Isaiah 49 as a proclamation of the Messiah’s mission to save God’s Chosen People as well as the Gentiles. “Now the Lord has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him, and I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord and my God is now my strength! … I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49)
To the Church in Corinth (and to us also) Paul writes: “to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy, with all those everywhere who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 1:2-3)
Speaking to his disciples, John the Baptist gives testimony to the identity of Jesus as the Messiah. ”Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘a man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ … I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him. … Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”
We begin Ordinary Time with our eyes fixed on Jesus:
Jesus, God’s suffering servant.
Jesus, our Messiah.
Jesus, the Light to the nations.
Jesus, our salvation.
Jesus, our sanctification.
Jesus, the Holy One of God.
Jesus, our Lord.
Jesus, God’s favored one.
Jesus, before all ages. Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Like John the Baptist, may we point to and proclaim Jesus in all we say and do!