2ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: JOHN 1:29-34
Today’s readings tell us about the identity of Jesus: who Jesus is and what is Jesus’ mission. In the Gospel of today, we have John the Baptist fulfilling his role as a witness and proclaiming to people that, “Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” The lamb is the symbol of gentleness, humbleness, sacrifice, and triumph. Jesus is gentle, meek, and humble of heart.
John the Baptist reminds us of the nobility of our vocation and our obligation to be faithful to it. Like John, we must recognize the redeeming role of Jesus in history and especially in our personal lives. Like John, we must accept the greatness of Jesus, as the one who has the power to save us from evil. Like John, we must become worthy witnesses of Jesus. And like John, we must know and experience Jesus personally.
Once we experience Jesus, we should be witnesses in our daily lives, which must inspire others to want to know Jesus. Through our own acts of compassion, love, generosity, and forgiveness, we proclaim that “the Lamb of God” walks in our midst and that the love and mercy of God have dawned upon us.
A Guru put the following question to his disciples: “How can we determine the hour of dawn when the night ends and the day begins?” One disciple replied, “When, from a distance, you can distinguish between a sheep and a dog.” “No,” said the Guru. Another disciple said, “When you can tell a fig tree from an apple tree.” “No,” repeated the Guru. “Then please tell us,” asked the disciples. The Guru replied, “Darkness ends, and the day begins when you can look into the faces of all other human beings, and you have enough light in you to recognize them as your brothers and sisters.”
Let us ask ourselves: “Can you and I see Christ in the world today?” Only by Jesus living in our own lives, can we see Jesus living in others. When we experience the light in the person of Christ, we see the face of God shining in every human being.
Today, and each time we participate in the Eucharist, we hear the priest proclaim at the moment of communion: “This is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!” Blessed are we when we bring to others the gifts of love, peace, justice, tolerance, and mercy. Blessed are we when we do so by becoming witnesses for the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.