John 1:29-34

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 the sky

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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I am called to give witness to the power of your grace and merciful love. Inspire me to know what to say and when to say it. Grant me the courage to not be silent when I need to speak up.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Behold, the Lamb of God: As we continue to listen to the first chapter of John’s Gospel, we encounter the figure of John the Baptist. When John saw Jesus approach him, he chose to identify him as the “Lamb of God.” There were so many titles John could have used. He could have said, “Behold, the King of Israel,” or “Behold, the Great Prophet of God,” or “Behold, the royal Messiah.” Instead, John was inspired to proclaim Jesus as the Lamb of God. The image of a lamb harkens back to the story of Abraham, who trusted that the Lord God would one day provide a sacrificial lamb that would unleash a blessing upon all humanity. For centuries, the people of God sacrificed lambs on Mt. Moriah. They, like Abraham, were waiting for the Lamb that God would provide. John today proclaims that Jesus is the Lamb of God who, through his sacrifice on Mt. Moriah, will take away the sin of the world.

2. Behold, the Spirit of God: John not only testifies to the Lamb of God but also testifies to the Spirit of God. He says, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him.” There were hints of the Spirit in the Old Testament. The Spirit of God hovered over the waters of creation. The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David when he was anointed by Samuel. The prophet Ezekiel promised that God would sprinkle clean water upon his people, cleanse his people from the sin of idolatry, give them a new heart, and put a new Spirit within them. With this new Spirit, the people would be empowered to follow and obey God’s Law. This promise is brought to fulfillment through the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.

3. Behold, the Voice of God: When John testifies to the Lamb of God and the Spirit of God, he does not do this of his own accord. John says that the one who sent him also spoke to him. We are called to be like John and be attentive to God’s Voice. We hear this Voice in prayer, meditation, and contemplation. Our daily prayers should be inspired by the Psalms and the Church's Liturgy. Our meditation in God’s presence should bring us to reflect on how we are living in accord with God’s loving will. Our contemplation should bring us to gaze with faith upon Jesus and make the mystery of Christ alive in us. “Contemplative prayer is hearing the Word of God. Far from being passive, such attentiveness is the obedience of faith, the unconditional acceptance of a servant, and the loving commitment of a child. It participates in the ‘Yes’ of the Son become servant and the Fiat of God's lowly handmaid” (CCC, 2716). “Contemplative prayer is silence, the ‘symbol of the world to come’ or ‘silent love.’ Words in this kind of prayer are not speeches; they are like kindling that feeds the fire of love. In this silence, unbearable to the ‘outer’ man, the Father speaks to us his incarnate Word, who suffered, died, and rose; in this silence the Spirit of adoption enables us to share in the prayer of Jesus” (CCC, 2717).

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, bring me more deeply into the mystery of your divine life. Increase my faith so that I may confess you more confidently. Increase my hope so that I may trust more fully in you and your promise of eternal life. Increase my charity so that I may be united more perfectly in bonds of love with God the Father and my brothers and sisters.

Living the Word of God: How am I giving testimony to Jesus, the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit? Do I proclaim the great things God has done for me in my words and actions? How have I concretely done this during this first week of the New Year? What should my prayer life – vocal prayer, meditation, and contemplation – be like this year?