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;
1st 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.
