| Bread From Heaven Meditations on the Sunday Gospel for the Year of the Eucharist |
| Second Sunday of Ordinary Time Beginning Sunday January 16th, 2005 |
| The Word of the Lord |
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." - John 1:29-34
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." - John 1:29-34
| THE BACKGROUND |
In the previous paragraph John had given strong witness to his purpose. John was of
such influence and fame that the priests and Levites were sent from Jerusalem to question
him.
Here we are told that it is the “next day.” John is again giving witness to the “one who
is coming after me.” When John sees Jesus he proclaims that He is the “Lamb of God
who takes away the sin of the world.” This statement by John was a reference to both the
suffering servant mentioned in Isaiah (53:7) and to the paschal lamb of the Passover
(Exodus 12:6-7).
John continues his witness by reminding everyone that Jesus, the Lamb of God, is the
One he has been preaching about all of this time. John has been waiting on God to reveal
to him the One. God does so for John by allowing him to see the Spirit descend upon
Jesus. John sees this revelation and tells those around him that not only is this Jesus the
Lamb of God He is also the Son of God.
such influence and fame that the priests and Levites were sent from Jerusalem to question
him.
Here we are told that it is the “next day.” John is again giving witness to the “one who
is coming after me.” When John sees Jesus he proclaims that He is the “Lamb of God
who takes away the sin of the world.” This statement by John was a reference to both the
suffering servant mentioned in Isaiah (53:7) and to the paschal lamb of the Passover
(Exodus 12:6-7).
John continues his witness by reminding everyone that Jesus, the Lamb of God, is the
One he has been preaching about all of this time. John has been waiting on God to reveal
to him the One. God does so for John by allowing him to see the Spirit descend upon
Jesus. John sees this revelation and tells those around him that not only is this Jesus the
Lamb of God He is also the Son of God.
| Jesus the Apostles and You |
Imagine that you have been a follower of John the Baptist
for many years. You have turned your life around and
prepared yourself through his baptism. After being with
John all this time you are filled with hope that you will one
day see the One he preaches about but at the same time
you wonder if that day will ever come.
You are relieved that the priests, Levites, and their
retinue have returned to Jerusalem. As you sit on the shore
watching John baptize you notice John stopping the next
person from coming into the water. Then, John lifts up his
staff and points up the river and cries out, “behold the Lamb
of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
What goes through your mind as you witness the
events of this Gospel taking place? How does this affect
you? Do you now follow this man whom you have never
met? Do questions race through your mind wondering if it
is truly Him?
for many years. You have turned your life around and
prepared yourself through his baptism. After being with
John all this time you are filled with hope that you will one
day see the One he preaches about but at the same time
you wonder if that day will ever come.
You are relieved that the priests, Levites, and their
retinue have returned to Jerusalem. As you sit on the shore
watching John baptize you notice John stopping the next
person from coming into the water. Then, John lifts up his
staff and points up the river and cries out, “behold the Lamb
of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
What goes through your mind as you witness the
events of this Gospel taking place? How does this affect
you? Do you now follow this man whom you have never
met? Do questions race through your mind wondering if it
is truly Him?
| TALKING TO GOD - Lord, as I kneel here before You in the Eucharist, the voice of John the Baptist echoes in my ear from over two-thousand years ago, “behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” I am sure that on that day it was difficult for many to see You as the “Lamb” or the “Son of God.” Today I have difficulty seeing You. The difficulty lies in me. The difficulty lies in my sin. However, I am given hope by the words of the Baptist when he says that You “take away the sin of the world.” Lord, take away my sin so that I am no longer blinded by it. I want to see You here in this Most Blessed Sacrament. I want to see You in all of Your beauty. Give me the grace to go to confession and go often so that I might see You and in turn give witness to all like John the Baptist. |
| Conversation Starters with God: Jesus, sometimes it is so difficult for me to pray. I get trapped in thinking that my prayer needs to be a perfect formula in order to get Your attention. Help me to remember that my prayer here before You can simply be a conversation. Give me the grace to speak openly and freely to You about anything and everything. After all, what can I hide from You. Lord, here is what is going on in my life and I need some advice [speak freely to Christ present in the Eucharist and then Listen] “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Jesus, I hear these words every Sunday yet often they pass right by me. Right now I want to stop all that I am doing and behold this “Lamb.” [look at Jesus and listen] John said “the reason why I came baptizing with water was that He might be made known…” Lord, this should be my underlying reason in so much that I do, so that You might be made known. Reveal to me the opportunities I had to make You known during my week at work, at home, in conversation. Reveal to me the ways I can use the events of my daily life to “make you known.” [Listen] |
| QUOTES ON THE EUCHARIST |
"All the good works in the world are not equal to the
Holy Sacrifice of the Mass because they are the works
of men; but the Mass is the work of God. Martyrdom
is nothing in comparison for it is but the sacrifice of
man to God; but the Mass is the sacrifice of God for
man." - St. John Vianney the Cure of Ars
Holy Sacrifice of the Mass because they are the works
of men; but the Mass is the work of God. Martyrdom
is nothing in comparison for it is but the sacrifice of
man to God; but the Mass is the sacrifice of God for
man." - St. John Vianney the Cure of Ars
| LET US PRAY - I adore You, Lord and Creator, hidden in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I adore You for all the works of Your hands, that reveal to me so much wisdom, goodness and mercy, O Lord. You have spread so much beauty over the earth and it tells me about Your beauty, even though these beautiful things are but a faint reflection of You, incomprehensible Beauty. And although You have hidden Yourself and concealed your beauty, my eye, enlightened by faith, reaches You and my souls recognizes its Creator, its Highest Good, and my heart is completely immersed in prayer of adoration. O Christ, let my greatest delight be to see You loved and Your praise and glory proclaimed, especially the honor of Your mercy. O Christ, let me glorify Your goodness and mercy to the last moment of my life, with every drop of my blood and every beat of my heart. Would that I be transformed into a hymn of adoration of You. When I find myself on my deathbed, may the last beat of my heart be a loving hymn glorifying Your unfathomable mercy. Amen. - from the writings of Saint Faustina |
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