Behold the Lamb of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
After celebrating the great feasts of Christmas and the Baptism of the Lord, the Church now leads us into Ordinary Time — not ordinary because it is unimportant, but because it is the time when we learn how to live our faith daily.
In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist points us directly to Jesus and proclaims:
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
1. Jesus Revealed as the Lamb of God
Calling Jesus the Lamb of God is of great significance.
- It recalls the Passover lamb, whose blood saved Israel from death
- It points to the Suffering Servant who gives His life for others
- It reveals Jesus as the one who takes away sin, not just condemns it
Jesus is both sacrifice and Savior.
👉 Every time we attend Mass and hear these words, we are reminded of who Jesus truly is.
2. John the Baptist: A True Witness
John does not seek attention for himself.
Instead, he points away from himself and toward Christ.
He says:
“I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize told me…”
John teaches us:
- humility
- obedience
- faithfulness to mission
👉 A true Christian is not someone who draws attention to himself, but someone who leads others to Jesus.
3. The Spirit Reveals Jesus
John recognizes Jesus because he sees the Spirit descend and remain upon Him.
This reminds us that faith is a gift.
We recognize Jesus not by human wisdom alone, but through the work of the Holy Spirit.
👉 If we want to know Jesus more deeply, we must stay close to the Spirit through prayer and the sacraments.
4. Our Call to Witness Christ
John concludes by saying:
“Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”
This is also our calling.
We are called to:
- recognize Jesus in our lives
- testify to Him by our words and actions
- live in a way that reflects His presence
👉 We may not preach from a pulpit, but we preach daily through our lives.
Conclusion
Dear friends,
Today the Church invites us to behold the Lamb of God — not just with our eyes, but with our hearts.
May we recognize Jesus as our Savior, follow Him faithfully, and lead others to Him through our witness.
Amen.