Reading I: Isaiah 49: 3, 5-6
Psalm 40
Reading II: 1 Corinthians 1: 1-3
Gospel: John 1: 29-34
In today's Gospel, we find John the Baptist pointing out Jesus and calling him the "Lamb of God." I have always admired John and viewed him as a wonderful example for us as we strive to introduce people to Jesus and help them to focus on him.
I also love the title John gives Jesus. A lamb is a gentle animal and very lovable. We find Jesus to be a gentle, compassionate man eating with and welcoming sinners. He must have also been very lovable or he would not have drawn crowds to listen to him. Jesus is truly a "Lamb."
Also, from early times, lambs were the sacrifices offered to God in the spring as part of the first fruits, to acknowledge his sovereignty and man's complete dependence on him. They would even put the blood of the lamb they had offered on entrance of their house to show that they had made the sacrifice.
Later, when celebrating their rescue from slavery in Egypt, again a lamb was sacrificed in grateful remembrance of God deliverance from their oppressors. This Lamb would also save his Jewish people and all others from the oppression of sin by his sacrifice of himself on the cross.
Today at each Mass we commemorate Jesus' sacrifice as the Lamb or God in the breaking of the Bread. The following prayer is recited or sung:
Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.
Finally, when the priest holds up the Host and invites us to communion with Jesus and one another, John the Baptist's words are again proclaimed:
Behold the Lamb of God,
Behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
How very blessed we are to have such a gentle, loving, and sacrificing Savior!
May the Lamb of God be praised and adored forever!Reflection Question: How can I show my appreciation to our Lord as the Lamb of God?
~Sr. Annette Marie
Spanish Translation
Lectura I: Isaiah 49: 3, 5-6
Salmo 40
Lectura II: 1 Corintio 1: 1-3
Evangelio: Juan 1: 29-34
En el Evangelio de hoy, encontramos a Juan el Bautista señalando a Jesús y llamándolo el "Cordero de Dios". Siempre he admirado a John y lo vi como un maravilloso ejemplo para nosotros mientras nos esforzamos por presentar a las personas a Jesús y ayudarles a enfocarse en él.
También me encanta el título que Juan le da a Jesús. Un cordero es un animal gentil y muy amable. Encontramos que Jesús es un hombre gentil y compasivo que come y da la bienvenida a los pecadores. También debe haber sido muy amable o no habría atraído multitudes para escucharlo. Jesús es verdaderamente un "Cordero".
Además, desde los primeros tiempos, los corderos eran los sacrificios ofrecidos a Dios en la primavera como parte de los primeros frutos, para reconocer su soberanía y la completa dependencia del hombre sobre él. Incluso pondrían la sangre del cordero que habían ofrecido en la entrada de su casa para demostrar que habían hecho el sacrificio.
Hoy en cada misa conmemoramos el sacrificio de Jesús como el Cordero o Dios en la fracción del pan. Se recita o canta la siguiente oración:
Lectura II: 1 Corintio 1: 1-3
Evangelio: Juan 1: 29-34
En el Evangelio de hoy, encontramos a Juan el Bautista señalando a Jesús y llamándolo el "Cordero de Dios". Siempre he admirado a John y lo vi como un maravilloso ejemplo para nosotros mientras nos esforzamos por presentar a las personas a Jesús y ayudarles a enfocarse en él.
También me encanta el título que Juan le da a Jesús. Un cordero es un animal gentil y muy amable. Encontramos que Jesús es un hombre gentil y compasivo que come y da la bienvenida a los pecadores. También debe haber sido muy amable o no habría atraído multitudes para escucharlo. Jesús es verdaderamente un "Cordero".
Además, desde los primeros tiempos, los corderos eran los sacrificios ofrecidos a Dios en la primavera como parte de los primeros frutos, para reconocer su soberanía y la completa dependencia del hombre sobre él. Incluso pondrían la sangre del cordero que habían ofrecido en la entrada de su casa para demostrar que habían hecho el sacrificio.
Hoy en cada misa conmemoramos el sacrificio de Jesús como el Cordero o Dios en la fracción del pan. Se recita o canta la siguiente oración:
Cordero de Dios, tú que quitas los pecados del mundo,
ten piedad de nosotros.
Cordero de Dios, tú que quitas los pecados del mundo,
ten piedad de nosotros.
Cordero de Dios, tú que quitas los pecados del mundo,
Dadnos la paz.
Finalmente, cuando el sacerdote levanta la Hostia y nos invita a la comunión con Jesús y entre nosotros, las palabras de Juan el Bautista se proclaman nuevamente:
He aquí el Cordero de Dios
He aquí el que quita los pecados del mundo.
Bienaventurados los llamados a la cena del Cordero.
Stephanie Morris, ASBS, Ph.D Historian, Certified Archivist, Emerita
Our Lord was sacrificed on the cross for me, for us. How can I begin to really appreciate the idea of Someone who suffered great pain and died in a brutal way, just to give me eternal salvation? The best I can do is to say “thank you” in prayer and by passing His kindness along to others. As St. Katharine told us, we don’t have to do extraordinary deeds, but we can do our ordinary acts is an extraordinarily charitable way. Smile. Listen to someone who is lonely or hurting. If we let the Lamb of God lead us, we will know how we can show our gratitude to God.
Pat Chiaffa, ASBS
My lifetime friend, Ceilie, is authentically a gentle being. Time spent in her presence leaves me with the sense that I spent time with the closest model of the Blessed Mother that I can imagine. Ceilie is nurturing, caring and radiates goodness (God-ness). The positive energy of our get togethers stay with me the entire week following our visit. I embrace these special times as indication of God’s immense love for me to have blessed me with such a friend. Ceilie is an open conduit of God’s love and peace. I depart committed to being such a presence for others, though I too often fall short.
When I meet up with Jesus in the New Testament, I am drawn to His gentleness. Jesus acknowledges this trait in Himself in Matthew 11:29. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
My gratitude for the gift of Self that Jesus freely gave, that I may have eternal life, is equally felt for His continual gift of Self in the Blessed Sacrament. I am humbled by such love, mercy and compassion.
Jesus was also a Shepherd who tenderly gathered and led the sheep, carrying lost ones back to the flock tucked in his bosom.
I show my appreciation by becoming as a lamb, following Jesus and taking adequate time to develop a relationship with him, so like his sheep, I’ll know and heed his voice. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).
This leads to true discipleship, which according to Guidepost contributor, Sharon Hinck, requires “interacting with Him constantly; remembering His teaching, listening for His direction, opening our eyes to where He is at work in our home and community.” Jesus helps us adjust our activities and change course when necessary, so we can become the person God created us to be, and to live the life God created us to live.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, transform my thoughts, attitudes, and actions so that I may become an authentic reflection of Your love to others.
He aquí el que quita los pecados del mundo.
Bienaventurados los llamados a la cena del Cordero.
¡Cuán bendecidos somos de tener un Salvador tan gentil, amoroso y sacrificado!
¡Que el Cordero de Dios sea alabado y adorado para siempre!
Pregunta de reflexión: ¿Cómo puedo mostrar mi agradecimiento a nuestro Señor como el Cordero de Dios?
Comments
Stephanie Morris, ASBS, Ph.D Historian, Certified Archivist, Emerita
Our Lord was sacrificed on the cross for me, for us. How can I begin to really appreciate the idea of Someone who suffered great pain and died in a brutal way, just to give me eternal salvation? The best I can do is to say “thank you” in prayer and by passing His kindness along to others. As St. Katharine told us, we don’t have to do extraordinary deeds, but we can do our ordinary acts is an extraordinarily charitable way. Smile. Listen to someone who is lonely or hurting. If we let the Lamb of God lead us, we will know how we can show our gratitude to God.
Pat Chiaffa, ASBS
My lifetime friend, Ceilie, is authentically a gentle being. Time spent in her presence leaves me with the sense that I spent time with the closest model of the Blessed Mother that I can imagine. Ceilie is nurturing, caring and radiates goodness (God-ness). The positive energy of our get togethers stay with me the entire week following our visit. I embrace these special times as indication of God’s immense love for me to have blessed me with such a friend. Ceilie is an open conduit of God’s love and peace. I depart committed to being such a presence for others, though I too often fall short.
When I meet up with Jesus in the New Testament, I am drawn to His gentleness. Jesus acknowledges this trait in Himself in Matthew 11:29. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
My gratitude for the gift of Self that Jesus freely gave, that I may have eternal life, is equally felt for His continual gift of Self in the Blessed Sacrament. I am humbled by such love, mercy and compassion.
Jesus was also a Shepherd who tenderly gathered and led the sheep, carrying lost ones back to the flock tucked in his bosom.
I show my appreciation by becoming as a lamb, following Jesus and taking adequate time to develop a relationship with him, so like his sheep, I’ll know and heed his voice. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).
This leads to true discipleship, which according to Guidepost contributor, Sharon Hinck, requires “interacting with Him constantly; remembering His teaching, listening for His direction, opening our eyes to where He is at work in our home and community.” Jesus helps us adjust our activities and change course when necessary, so we can become the person God created us to be, and to live the life God created us to live.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, transform my thoughts, attitudes, and actions so that I may become an authentic reflection of Your love to others.
No comments:
Post a Comment