2nd Sunday of Ordinary time

Mass Readings from January 19, 2019:
Isaiah 49:3, 5-6
Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-10
1 Corinthians 1:1-3
John 1:29-34
                                              Homily from The Second Sunday of Ordinary Time
                                  Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.


There are some places we don’t mind being sent such as South Texas for the winter or being transferred to Hawaii.  On the other hand, we are often sent to places we don’t like to go such as going to the hospital, or being sent to the boss’s or the principal’s office as well as to do errands on the day off.  In today’s Mass readings we hear that God sends out his people into different places so all people can know and glorify God.
In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah and God’s people Israel were being sent to be a light to the nations.  Then in the second reading, St. Paul not only referred to himself as an apostle sent by God to preach the Gospel to the Greeks but he also reminded the early church in Corinth that they are called to be holy in the midst of the world.  And finally, in the Gospel we hear that John the Baptist mentioned that he was sent to prepare the way of the Lord.  He testified to the crowds that Jesus is the Anointed One since the Holy Spirit has come down and remained over Jesus.  Moreover, John pointed Jesus out to the crowds by calling him the Lamb of God.
The title: “Lamb of God” can refer to many things such as Jesus being identified as the suffering servant found in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah which God’s servant will suffer quietly and trustingly like a lamb being led to be sacrificed.  The Lamb of God can also be the victorious Lamb that is mentioned in the Book of Revelation which the lamb that was slaughtered will rise and be victorious over the power of the evil one.  Another image of Lamb of God is that Jesus will give himself up to death like the Passover lamb so that sins will be taken away.  Therefore, Jesus was sent by his Heavenly Father to offer himself up to be sacrificed on the cross to wipe away the sins of the world.  Thus, it is by Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection which has conquered the reign of sin and death.  And now Jesus is in Heaven seated in glory waiting for the day to bring us to himself so, we can be glorified in him. 
By our baptism we too are called by God to go out into the world and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.  We reveal God’ reign on earth by living out holy lives such as following God’s Commandments which is about loving God and neighbor as well as ourselves.  Moreover, being holy is about choosing to do what is right and just and not giving into sin.  We show God’s love by visiting the sick, listening to a troubled friend, and forgiving an enemy.  And finally, we proclaim the Gospel by offering an encouraging word to the downhearted, consoling those who mourn and praying for those we have met throughout the day.
            Therefore, may we be willing to be sent anywhere so we can point out Christ to the people we encounter.