We are called to be Saints

Ish 49:3.5-6, 1 Cor. 1:1-3, Jn 1:29-34. On this Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, the Church invites us to be a shining star to the world. Two particular thoughts are prompted by today’s readings. The first is John’s dramatic declaration, Behold the Lamb of God. The second is an invitation to do a personal stock-taking during this first month of the New Year and make some resolutions to improve the quality of our lives. The Baptist urges us to ask what are we fundamentally about and then seek to reset our lives. Paul reminds us that we are called to be saints together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today’s first reading presents us with features of the Chosen One who will come as a servant to manifest God’s glory. This Messianic Servant will be called from the womb to lead people back to God. The servant will be a light to all nations. Isaiah reminds us that God has called us share the good news of His love and salvation. As Paul writes, we are called to be holy, following the example of Jesus and preparing His way. In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist calls Jesus the Lamb of God who gave His life as a sacrifice so that we might live forever. John the Baptist once again speaks of the superiority of Jesus over himself. We are given an opportunity to look at some of the different image of Jesus. He is called the Suffering Servant, the Lord, the Christ, the Lamb of God, Light to the nations.  

John points out Jesus as the Lamb of God. A spotless lamb was used in sacrifices of old. The blood of the lamb was used by the Israelites to mark the doors posts of their homes at the time of the Exodus. When the “angel of death” saw the blood of the lamb on the door, the angel “passed over” homes, for it were the homes of believers. Moses and Aaron later blessed the Holy of Holies and the people with the blood of a lamb. Thus, the blood of the lamb signified that the people were holy people – God’s people, their holiness not coming from who they were or what they did, but from God and what God had done, is doing, and will continue to do. This image continued in the New Testament. It is no coincidence that Jesus was killed on the day of Passover when the blood of the paschal lamb was shed in the Temple in Jerusalem. Thus, John the Baptist points out Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus is the true sacrificial Lamb whose Blood brought salvation to those marked with His Blood. An honest stock-taking of ourselves may unveil the selfish motives that often direct our actions. To rise above an ego-centric spirit we need to recognise something outside of and larger than ourselves, the God who cares for us and for the whole human community. Can we listen to John’s call to restore what is broken, and Jesus’ call, to bring light to the world? Do we see that it is with our cooperation that the Lamb can remove the “sin of the world?” Facing our deepest personal truths is always difficult; it calls us to not just drift along with this world’s evil, always taking the line of least resistance. Discipleship is urgent and costly, but it is also possible and is the way towards the deeper joy and fulfilment that our soul is longing for. If we properly hear the Baptist as he witnesses to Christ, our response will be a stock-taking that goes to the root of our being. It may even reveal to us the truth that sets us free.

May the Lord give us His grace to make us holy and help us to follow Jesus more closely and be attentive to serve those in need! Amen!! Good morning and happy Sunday!!!