Homily for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Blessed John Paul II Parish, Cedar Springs, Michigan Mary Queen of Apostles Parish, Sand Lake Michigan January 19, 2014 Scripture Readings Is: 49: 3, 5-6; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9,10; 1Cor 1:1-3; Jn 1: 29-34 As we gather for the Eucharist on this Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, we heard in the Gospel that John the Baptist, seeing Jesus approaching him at the Jordan River, proclaimed: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” Then, later on during the Mass, before Holy Communion we seem to repeat the proclamation of John the Baptist when the priest elevates the consecrated host and solemnly intones: “Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb.” Then the congregation responds: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say that word and my soul shall be healed.” What does it mean in the Gospel of John that Jesus was called the “Lamb of God?” And what does it mean in the celebration of the Eucharist when we proclaim that Jesus is the “Lamb of God?” In the Gospel of John, the first time the proclamation that Jesus is the Lamb of God appears in the passage that we heard for this second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Jn 1: 29-34). The meaning of this title was given at the scene of the crucifixion, Chapter 19 of this Gospel. When Jesus handed over the spirit, the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. “For this happened so that the scripture passage might be fulfilled: ‘Not a bone of it will be broken.’” (Jn 19: 36). The saying “Not a bone of it will be broken” is the direct quotation from the book of Exodus in terms of how the Israelites should prepare and eat the lamb during the Passover Meal (Ex 12:46). As we listen to this, there comes an explanation of Jesus the Lamb of God. Just as in the Exodus story, Moses instructed the people to place the blood of the lamb on the lintel and doorpost so as to be saved “when the LORD goes by to strike down the Egyptians” (Ex 12: 23); so now the blood of Jesus pouring out from the cross saved us and reconciled the entire humanity to God. Jesus is then the Lamb whose blood frees us from the bondage of sins. Salvation comes from Him who hanged upon the Cross: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” Every time we participate in the Eucharist and hear this proclamation, it is like John the Baptist in the Gospel today pointing out to us that in the consecrated bread and wine, is truly present the body, soul, and divinity of Christ the Lord. It is truly the Body and Blood of Him who died, was buried in the tomb, and rose from death. All he had done is to set us free. Behold, the Lamb of God whose Body and Blood we now receive in this great Sacrament. In closing, I would like to call your attention to the prayer that will be said today by the presiding priest on behalf of the entire congregation after the bread and wine are prepared on the Altar, the Prayer over the Offerings: “Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that we may participate worthily in these mysteries; for whenever the memorial of this sacrifice is celebrated, the work of our redemption is accomplished. Through Christ our Lord.” Yes, every time we participate in Mass, we receive the Blood of the Lamb and, through this Blood, the forgiveness of our sins. Indeed our work of redemption is accomplished in this Sacred mystery: The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Amen.
Posted on: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 19:41:16 +0000
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