Testify to Jesus
January 20, 2008

Readings for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1: Is. 49:3, 5–6

Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 40:2, 4, 7–8, 8–9, 10

Reading 2: 1 Cor. 1:1–3

Gospel: Jn. 1:29–34

Link to Readings

By Deacon Jim Black

When something big happens in my life—we win the State Football Championship, I meet the girl of my dreams, I get the big promotion at work, my first child is born—I tell everyone I can about what happened. I proudly wear the state letter jacket, or make sure everyone sees my wedding ring. I take the family out and celebrate the promotion, maybe even but a new car. And heaven forbid I should ever be caught without pictures of my little darlings.

But how do I deal with the greatest, most exciting news in the world—the fact that God loves me so much that His Son died for me to take away my sin and gifted me to share in His resurrection to eternal life?

John the Baptist struggled too. I thought today’s Gospel was a strange way to start our year of Ordinary Time, until I studied John the Baptist more carefully. Did you notice that John the Baptist, and not Jesus, is the central character of this reading? There is no direct action or word from Jesus, just John talking about Him. So why is John the Baptist so important that he would kick-off our Sundays of Ordinary Time?

Behold, the Lamb of God!

Could he be an example for us? Look carefully at what John the Baptist has to say. He proclaims twice, “I did not know him.” (Jn. 1:31, 33) This is not like Peter’s denial of knowing Jesus and being His disciple. Rather, John uses the past tense to say that he had no previous knowledge of Jesus, and definitely did not understand who He really was—the Son of God.

But John the Baptist is astute enough and concerned enough about following God that he observes things around him and has his eyes open to see God’s leading. Because he was listening to God and watching for God’s action, John the Baptist was able to come to the knowledge that this Jesus was the reason he was brought to baptize, and was in fact the one John had been told about who would Himself baptize with the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist was attentive to God and understood the message. Do I listen to God’s message? Can I see the signs He gives me to direct my life?

Then, with his new knowledge of the Christ, John the Baptist called out and proclaimed to all who would listen, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29). And he further proclaimed at the end of this gospel, “He is the Son of God” (Jn. 1:34). John was so excited to wear his letter jacket (even if it was camel hair) and show his pictures that he told his entire world what he had learned, the ultimate revelation of God, who Jesus really is.

I Come to Do Your Will

We have John the Baptist before us today to start our journey through Ordinary Time because he is a perfect example of our “ordinary” life. We also begin with absolutely no knowledge of who Jesus is. But He quickly begins to give us signs and open our eyes of faith. He gifts us with the Sacrament of Baptism into new life and the Sacrament of Confirmation to make us strong in His life. We have wonderful lessons in our CRE classes as we grow, and even more opportunities to learn about Jesus in our Adult Education Classes. Then, each week at Mass we proclaim in our Creed that we believe that Jesus is “the only Son of God.” And when we prepare for Communion, our priest presents us with the consecrated host and echoes John’s words, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29). How much clearer can we be that this Jesus we worship is the Son of God! And yet, what do we do with this knowledge of the Son of God?

Jesus has clearly revealed Himself to us and, unless I totally ignore His presence, I have to confess with John the Baptist, “He is the Son of God” (Jn. 1:34). I can confess quietly, in my heart, or I can respond as we did in the Psalm this morning, “Here I am Lord; I come to do your will” (Ps. 40:8–9).

Help me, Lord, to boldly proclaim the revelation of who you are “to the ends of the earth” (Is. 49:6).

Deacon Jim Black is from the Diocese of Tulsa.

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