Photo illustration by Phil Younk
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Like a lamb, Jesus prepared to be sacrificed
Based on 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn 1:35-42
The readings for this Sunday tell of the importance of listening to God’s call in our lives.
In the Gospel, it’s the day after Jesus’ Baptism. John the Baptist is standing and talking with two of his followers, a fisherman named Andrew and a man whose name we don’t know. Suddenly, he stops talking, points to Jesus walking by and says, “Behold the Lamb of God.”
Lambs are gentle, meek animals. At the time of Jesus, they were offered by people as sacrifices to God to show their love for him. Jesus was sent by God the Father to proclaim the Good News and to save us. Like a lamb, Jesus was prepared to be sacrificed, to suffer and to die out of love for us so we can share everlasting life with him in heaven.
After pointing Jesus out, John encourages Andrew and his friend to follow Jesus.
Noticing they are following him, Jesus says, “What are you looking for?” They say to him, “Rabbi (Teacher) where are you staying?” Jesus answers, “Come and you will see.”
They go with Jesus and spend the day listening to him. During this time, Andrew comes to know and love Jesus and recognizes him as the Messiah. Andrew rushes to find his brother Simon and tells him, “We have found the Messiah.” He brings him to Jesus who says, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas –translated Peter.”
Andrew became the first of Jesus’ disciples. Later, he, Peter, James and John become the first four apostles chosen by Jesus.
In this short reading from John’s Gospel, he gives us three titles for Jesus – Lamb of God, Rabbi and Messiah – all pointing out that Jesus is the Son of God.
Jesus’ meeting with Andrew and the other disciple is quiet and humble. He simply talks with them – no fanfare or force, only a simple invitation and time spent in conversation. That is Jesus’ way.
Andrew, a poor, uneducated fisherman was able to see what educated, religious leaders at the time of Jesus could not see – that Jesus is the Son of God.
Read and learn about Jesus this week. And, listen at Mass for how often we hear and say the words, “Lamb of God,” as we are called to his supper.