Behold The Lamb of God—The Son of God
1. Witness to Jesus Christ
2. Jesus, Lamb of God
Introduction
1. Witness to Jesus Christ
A Christian, a follower and disciple of Christ, is supposed to be someone who tries to be a good witness to Christ in word and deed. The first and great witness to Jesus in the Gospel: is John the Baptist, who showed him to people. But even John had to acknowledge that at first he did not know who Jesus really was and that he had to be converted, to learn who Jesus was and what he stood for. Only then could he become a firm witness. And we, do we not have to better learn who Jesus is and what he means to us and to people, so that we can become closer to him and attract people to him?
2. Jesus, Lamb of God
Who is Jesus for us? What is the name for us that would best fit him? The disciple of Isaiah called him the Servant of God. St Paul calls him Jesus Christ. John the Baptist points him out as the Lamb of God. Jesus is all these. It implies for us what we have to be with him: servants, saviours, if necessary, victims. Let us celebrate this Eucharist with Jesus.
First Reading: Servant of God and Light of the Nations
A servant of God will come and be the light not only of Israel but of all the nations. The Christian community recognized Jesus as this servant.
1 Reading: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6
The LORD said to me: You are my servant, Israel, through whom I show my glory. 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! It is too little, the LORD says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10
R. (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God. R.
Sacrifice or offering you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.” R.
“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
to do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!” R.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know. R.
Second Reading: Called to Bear Witness to Jesus the Lord
As an apostle, St Paul considered himself a servant whose task was to proclaim Jesus Christ as the Lord of all. Is Jesus the Lord of our lives? Do we proclaim him as our Lord?
2 Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy, with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Alleluia: John 1:14a, 12a
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him,
he gave power to become children of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Look, There Is the Lamb of God
John the Baptist bears witness that Jesus is the Savior, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus is the promised servant of God and people.
Gospel: John 1:29-34
John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “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 did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”
Commentary:
John the Baptist recognizes Jesus as the Lamb of God. At every Eucharist, before the communion, the celebrant says, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Like the Hebrews in Egyptian bondage, we have been liberated from the slavery of sin through the blood of a lamb—Christ. And like Isaiah’s humble servant, Christ with perfect submission hands himself over for our salvation. If Christ had not become the Lamb, we would not be family members. Gratitude is the only motive for goodness. We are saved by God and then made his children. No Christmas or New Year present can match that.
Blessing
God sends you now
to be his presence in today’s world.
Go and tell those you meet
the wonders he has done for you,
and bring his love and peace
to all those around you.
And may almighty God bless you all:
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Let the Lord Jesus Christ go with you on all your ways. R/ Thanks be to God.