Second Sunday of the Year: A: January 18, 2026

 JOHN THE BAPTIST WITNESSES TO JESUS: BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD

Introduction: In today's liturgy, Jesus is presented as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. In the first reading prophet Isaiah describes the Servant of the Lord God who glorifies the Lord God by being faithful and restores peace and freedom to the people of God. A light to the nations and an agent of universal salvation. In the second reading Paul reminds us that we are sanctified and made holy by calling on the name of Jesus. Gospel presents Jesus as the Lamb of God, who takes away our sins. 

First Reading: Isaiah 49: 3 and 5 to 6

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 1 to 3

Gospel Reading: John 1: 29 to 34

   *First reading is from the book of prophet Isaiah. The Prophet looks forward to the coming of Messiah; Lord God's servant, the chosen one to bring Israel back to the Lord God and eventually bring all people to the Lord God. He brings harmony and justice to the people . The prophecy of Isaiah finds its fulfilment in Jesus who brings all people to the presence of God the Father. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul greets the people of Corinth with great affection and love. He wishes them grace and peace in the name of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul reminds us of our call to be holy, to be saints as he greets the people of Corinth. 

Jesus the Lamb of God                                                                               Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. John the Baptist tells the people who Jesus is and what His mission is. Jesus is God's chosen one who will take away the sins of the world. He is the 'Servant of the Lord' that Isaiah speaks about in the first reading. He gathers the scattered tribes of Israel and brings them back to God. John testifies that Jesus ranks ahead of him because He was before him. John baptises with water but Jesus baptises with the Holy Spirit. John testifies that Jesus is the Son of God. True, John says Jesus has come to take away our sins. He came to heal our wounds. But what happens in the world? Jesus does take away our sins but the effects of our past sins and the sins of the humanity cannot be just removed or wiped away. It goes much deeper. We are born in a sinful world and we are part of it. We are in a state of brokenness and alienation from oneself, from others and from God. All of us are broken in some way. We have eyes that cannot see. Ears that cannot hear. Tongues that cannot speak. Wills that cannot decide. And above all, we have hearts that cannot love. So we need to repair our brokenness and heal our wounds. This healing can be done only by one person: Jesus. 

Conclusion: In one of the churches in Germany, there is a carved figure of a lamb near the top of the church tower. When asked why it is there, the Parish Priest explained that when the church was being built a worker fell down from a high scaffold. His co-workers rushed to the spot expecting him to be dead. But to everyone's surprise and joy, he was alive and was only slightly injured. How did he survive the fall? At that time a flock of sheep was passing beneath that tower and this man landed on top of a lamb. The lamb was crushed to death but the man survived. To commemorate this miraculous incident, someone carved a lamb on the tower at the exact height from which the worker had fallen. This incident in some way expresses what John the Baptist says, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." Prophet Isaiah's prophecy too indicates the same view of 'Servant of the Lord God' who brings salvation to everyone. Let us make earnest efforts to listen to the Lamb of God in our lives. John the Baptist witnessed to Jesus many centuries ago. Today we are urged to witness to the Lord in our lives. 

May the Lord Jesus, the Lamb of God, bless you and heal you from all sinfulness and brokenness and lead you to the fulness of life in heaven. Amen. 

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, January 18, 2026. Thanks.)