Introductory Prayer:  Lord, increase my faith. Your acceptance of suffering is a stumbling block for the worldly-minded. Increase my faith so that I will trust in this means of salvation that you have chosen. Increase my hope so that I will bear my own suffering with joy. Increase my love so that I will accept my suffering generously.

Petition:  Lord, help me become more aware of how much you have suffered for love of me, so that I may accept suffering out of love for you.

Gospel: Jn 1:29-34

 

Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, "Look, there is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: 'A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptizing with water.'" John also declared, "I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptize with water had said to me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptize with the Holy Spirit.' Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God." 

 

1.  "The Lamb of God..."

 

John uses the image of the Lamb of God to describe Jesus to his followers as this would conjure up a vivid image in their minds: the image of Abraham and Isaac climbing the mountain with a bundle of wood and fire. God had asked the supreme sacrifice of Abraham: the sacrifice of his only son. "We have the wood and fire for the sacrifice," Isaac asks, "but where is the lamb?" Abraham could not hold back his tears, "God will provide the lamb." John sees Jesus walking on the other side of the Jordan. "Look, there is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." Jesus will not be spared.

 

2.  "Who Takes Away the Sins of the World."

 

After agreeing to baptize him with the sinners, John the Baptist looked at Jesus and pointed him out as the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." By doing so, he reveals that Jesus is at the same time the Suffering Servant who silently allows himself to be led to the slaughter and who bears the sin of the multitudes, and also the Paschal Lamb, the symbol of Israel's redemption at the first Passover. Christ's whole life expresses his mission: "to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 608).

 

3.  The Eucharist.

 

Jesus is the Lamb of God for us during the Eucharistic sacrifice. After the consecration during Mass, before communion, the priest elevates the Body and Blood of Christ and says, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, happy are those who are called to his supper." The congregation responds, "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed." By his wounds we have been healed, by his suffering we have been made whole. The infinite merits of Christ's passion are applied to our soul each time we attend Mass and receive the Eucharist. Let us contemplate this mystery of our faith and foster a fervent desire to receive him more worthily.

 

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, you offered yourself for my sins on the altar of the cross. You suffered in my place. Help me to unite my sufferings with yours for the salvation of the world.

 

Questionnaire:  This optional questionnaire is intended to help you to examine your life, in the light of the inspirations God just gave you in these moments you shared with him. 

 

1. How do I live the Mass?  Do I prepare myself well to receive our Lord in Holy Communion? Knowing he is truly present in the Eucharist, how often do I visit him, kneeling before him and asking for the grace to know him better and love him more?

 

2. Am I aware of the fact that my daily life, with all its challenges and difficulties, gives me opportunities to prove my love for Christ?

 

3. What sacrifice can I offer to Christ today to help save souls?