Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Second Sunday of the Year, Year A – Jan 19, 2020

Readings: Is 49:3,5-6; Responsorial Psalm Ps 40:2,4,7-8, 8-9,10;

 1^st Cor. 1:1-3; Gospel John  1:29-34.

Theme: Emulating the Lamb!

Introduction

Friends in Christ, with the Christmas season gone, we are back to the Ordinary Season of the Church. Today, we are presented with Jesus as the Lamb of God who offers unceasing atonement for our sins through the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist. In this regard, based on our liturgical readings, we shall reflect on “Emulating the Lamb” in view of the requisite pastoral lessons. 

Background and Summary of the Readings

The Prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading (Is 49:3,5-6) projects the prophetic role that Christ, the Lamb of God, would play. The Prophet insists that the expected one would restore the fortunes of Jacob, become a light to the nations even as his salvation reaches to the ends of the earth.

In the second reading (1st Cor. 1:1-3), St. Paul calls the faithful to embrace holiness of life. He lists unity of the spirit, prayer, grace and peace as prerequisites of living according to the demands of Christ.

The gospel (John 1:35-42.) reveals the story of the call of the apostles. Like social networking, we are told that upon seeing Jesus, John said to two of his disciples: “Look, there is the Lamb of God.” He continues: “This is the one I spoke of when I said, a man who is superior to me would come.” John further disclosed that it was to reveal him to Israel that he came baptising with water. He confessed that he was the one the Holy Spirit descended on. John noted that he received confirmation that Jesus would baptism with the Holy Spirit because he is the Chosen One of God. 

Eucharistic Theology of Jesus as LAMB of God

1. “L” Stands for Life: In his discuss on the Holy Eucharist, Jesus says: “…the bread that I shall give is my flesh for the life of the world” (John 6:51). Here Jesus reveals himself as “the Life of world.”

2. “A” Stands for Altar: Jesus is the Altar and the lamb of sacrifice who offers himself to the father for our redemption. To be sure, one of the Prefaces for the Eucharistic Prayer during the Easter season describes Christ as the “sacerdos, altare et agnus - priest, altar, and lamb” of sacrifice. As such, in a tradition that dates back to St. Cyril of Alexandria and Origen, the priest or deacon kisses and in the case of the former, incenses the altar because it is a sign of Christ. 

3. “M” is for Messiah: St. John insists that the Messiah was revealed to take away sins (Cf. 1 John 3:5). Also, by describing Jesus as “the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,” John was pointing to him as the Messiah and one who would fulfil the law and the prophets.  

4. “B” is for Bread: Jesus is “the living bread that [has] came down from heaven” (John 6:51). He was born in Bethlehem, a name which means “house of bread” and eventually offers himself as the bread which has come down from heaven.    

Fascinating Story of the Lamb

The story is told about a tourist who visited a Church in Norway and was surprised to see the carved figure of a lamb near the top of the Church’s tower. When he inquired about the figure, he was told that a workman fell from a high scaffold during the construction of the Church. As such, when his co-workers rushed down, they were shocked to find him still alive though with slight injury.

The question is, “how did he survive?” Well, the story has it that a flock of sheep was passing beneath the tower at the time and the workman landed on a lamb. As a result, the lamb broke his fall and was crushed to death but the man survived. To remember that miraculous escape, someone carved a lamb on the tower at the exact height from which the workman fell. In like manner, Jesus took our faults upon himself through his love and death on the cross. He literally took our place by taking upon himself our sins to relieve and save us (Andrew, 2016). 

Pastoral and Practical Lessons

1. The Lamb Was Sinless, Be Sinless: Throughout his life and ministry, Jesus who is presented in the gospel by John as the Lamb was without blight. That is, he had no sin; he was without blemish, meaning, he knew no sin and he was without bitterness because “no guile found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). Therefore, we are called to be holy, blameless, spotless and righteousness in season and out of season.  

2. The Lamb Was Separated, Be Separated: The word of God tells us that because Christ the High Priest who became one like us was separate from sinners in terms of holiness, God made him higher than the heavens (Heb.7:26). In like manner, we are charged to emulate Christ who was sanctified by the Father because he was separated from the fallen through singling ourselves for honour and respect as God’s sons and daughters.

3. The Lamb Was Substituted, Substitute Someone: Jesus substituted the ancient sacrifice of bulls, goats and rams with his own blood and so, entered once and for all into the holy sanctuary to obtain eternal redemption for us (Cf. Heb.912). He took our sins, sorrows, pain, disease and death because be tasted death and revealed the mystery of the Old Testament tabernacle. In like manner, we are charged to stand in the breach for others by taking away their pain and sorrow through putting a smile on their faces. Do we have parishioners who would willingly and joyously pay the house rent or children’s school fees for a fellow parishioner?

4. The Lamb Was Slain, Die for Others: The scripture tells us that from the foundation of the world, the lamb was slain for our sake (Cf. Ps. 69:28) because he shed his precious blood to redeem us thus becoming a sin-bearer to place us in the right position. Can parents die for their children by risking all for them so as to enjoy food, shelter, clothing and good education? Can Masters and leaders sacrifice their comfort to provide for their subjects? 

5. The Lamb Was Sacrificed, Sacrifice for Others: Since Christ has been sacrificed as our Passover (Cf. 1^st Cor. 5:7 & Ex. 12:5) to make atonement for sins, we are reminded to be willing to offer our lives as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing unto God (Cf. Rom. 12:1). 

6.  The Lamb Was Sufficient, Make God Sufficient: Christ offered one single sacrifice for sin and sat down at the right hand of God (Heb.10:12). After that, he abolished all sacrifices to gods and spirits, patronizing powerless temples and shrines. By that, he created for us a means of his abiding presence and availability for time and eternity in the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist. Thus, he became the mediator between us and God. Therefore, we are challenged to let God be sufficient for our troubles, trials and tribulations because he alone can fix us.

7. The Lamb Was a Saving Lamb, Save Others: As Christians, we have quality assurance that   Christ would save us because he forever intercedes for us before the Father (Cf. Heb.7:25). He is able to save humanity because he abolished the penalty of sin and death and abounds in love and power. If your life as a Christian is not able to save others from disgrace, shame, cruelty and offer them the hope of salvation, it means your faith is sterile. If your faith is not contagious, it is contaminated. 

Homiletic Quotes to Remember

1. The prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading projects the prophetic role that Christ, the Lamb of God, would play.

2. In the second reading St. Paul calls the faithful to embrace holiness of life.

3. The gospel reveals the story of the call of the apostles.

4. Upon seeing Jesus, John said to two of his disciples, “Look, there is the Lamb of God.”

5. John further disclosed that it was to reveal him to Israel that he came baptising with water.

Conclusion

Today, we are reminded that the Lamb of God takes away sins - that is, he purchases pardon for hardened criminals and sinners. The Baptist calls us to repent and believe the Good News preached by Christ, the true Lamb of God who does not only preach by word of mouth but lays down his life as a burnt offering for all believers. As we continue with the prayer for unity of Christians within this Unity Week which runs from 18^th to 23^rd January 2020, may all Christians in Nigeria and beyond enjoy the unity of the spirit in these trying times in which many of our sons and daughters are persecuted for their faith. May the Holy Spirit help us to emulate Christ, the spotless Lamb of God even as our sacrifice finds favour in his sight. Amen. Have a Blessed Week!