The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.”
And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
“Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world...”
These words boldly proclaimed at every Mass echo the bold proclamation by John the Baptist in today’s Gospel. I cannot imagine the immense joy John must have felt when his ministry comes to its fulfillment as he finally encounters Jesus - Here he is! This is the one I’ve been talking about, the Son of God!
When something amazing happens to us, we cannot help but proclaim it to others. Yet John the Baptist admits to us twice that “I myself did not know him.” John committed himself to a life of ministry without even knowing Jesus but believing he would recognize him.
Today, may we grow to recognize and proclaim Christ in our midst. May we behold the Lamb of God at the holy sacrifice of the Mass and in receiving him, find our salvation.
—Joe Nava is a math teacher and 2002 graduate of Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.
—Response during the Eucharistic Prayer
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Ignatian spirituality reminds us that God pursues us in the routines of our home and work life, and in the hopes and fears of life's challenges. The founder of the Jesuits, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, created the Spiritual Exercises to deepen our relationship with Christ and to move our contemplation into service. May this prayer site anchor your day and strengthen your resolve to remember what truly matters.
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