READ 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.”
UNDERSTAND by Father Greg Friedman, OFM “Ordinary Time” is simply the “in-between” season—the weeks outside of the big seasons of Christmas and Easter and their preparation times, Advent and Lent. Ordinary Time presents the story of Jesus in a continuous reading of the Gospels as well as other parts of Scripture. Today’s first reading introduces us to an extraordinary figure from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. The prophet speaks to us in the voice of the “servant”—that mysterious character whom we meet many times in the liturgy each year. He may be an historical figure, or may be a symbol for all of Israel—or both. But in Christian terms we identify the servant with Jesus Christ. Today the servant says God has singled him out for special work: He is to be “a light to the nations.” In the selection from John’s Gospel, John the Baptist comes to a similar conclusion about Jesus. John tells us how he first recognized Jesus at his baptism as the “Lamb of God,” one on whom God’s Spirit rests—the Son of God. And all of us—all who have been baptized in Christ—share that same Holy Spirit and are called to undertake the same mission—being a light to others, serving others, giving of ourselves in love. The season may be called Ordinary Time but our mission is “extraordinary!”
DISCUSS by Father Dan Kroger, OFM
• In the first reading (Isaiah 49: 3, 5-6), Isaiah says God told him that Israel is his servant, that he formed him before he was born. But who was this servant God spoke about? What was he supposed to do? Why did God make this servant “a light to the nations?” • How does St. Paul start his letter to the people in Corinth that we hear about in this week's second reading (1 Corinthians 1:1-3)? What does he wish for them? Who could give gift of peace? • In the Gospel, what does John call Jesus? Where do we use that same phrase in the Mass today? Why did John baptize people in the Jordan River? What did God give as a sign to John that would let him know that the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit had come?
ACT by Susan Hines-Brigger • In the second reading, St. Paul writes a letter to the Corinthians. These days, not many people write actual letters to one another. Try to counter that trend and send a handwritten letter to someone you know. • John the Baptist uses two animal references in the Gospel—a lamb and a dove. Draw a picture illustrating what you think the Lamb of God and the Holy Spirit look like.