“Behold the Lamb of God”

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Brooklyn Center, MN

Sunday, January 19, 2020

The prophetic ministry of John the Baptist started with a bang. His revolutionary message got the attention of the public so much so that many thought he was the Christ. Even though he preached from the desert, a place far away from home, people against all odds, traveled to the desert to listen to him. When Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him whether he was the Christ, his response was, “I am not the Messiah” (John 1:20). As today’s Gospel (John 1:29-34) tells us, when John later saw Jesus coming towards him, he declared: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” Now, when John said of Jesus, “Behold the Lamb of God…” what did he mean? In the Book of Exodus 12, the lamb was a crucial part of the story of the Passover, when its blood applied on the doorposts preserved the homes of the Israelites as the family shared the passover meal. The blood of the slaughtered lamb applied on doorposts symbolized God’s mark of ownership over the members of the family. In fact, when God was speaking to Moses and Aaron, God said, “When I see the blood of the lamb on your doorpost, I will pass over you…” and will not punish you together with the Egyptians for their injustice and godlessness. Additionally, the lamb is a symbol of the Suffering Servant of Isaiah who endured the sufferings of others, and was led like lamb to the slaughter (Is. 53:7,11).  In the Jewish traditions, the lamb will offer its life for the people. No first-century Israelite would have missed the meaning of John’s declaration. So, “Behold the Lamb of God…” means behold the one who has come to be sacrificed. As one of my heroes, Bishop Robert Barron puts it,  “Behold the sacrifice, which will sum up, complete, and perfect the temple.”  

Two Sundays ago, we celebrated the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. On that day, the Magi, guided by the star led us to Baby Jesus—Yahweh in human nature. After the Magi offered Jesus three important and symbolic gifts- gold, frankincense and myrrh, nothing was said about them again. We are not sure they narrated their experiences to others, just as the shepherds did. So, when Jesus entered the stage, he was virtually unknown. It was John the Baptist, whose popularity had spread far and wide, that introduced him to the people. With the weight of his popularity and integrity, he witnessed and testified for Jesus. He refused to let pride and arrogance get in the way. He refused to let the temptation to upstage Jesus overtake him. He refused to contest the center-stage with Jesus. When the moment was right, he reveals the identity of Jesus, shines a spotlight on his mission, and turned the attention of his audience who were already thinking he was the Messiah to Jesus. So, the epiphany of the Divine Son of God to all the nations of the world continues. And to an extent, each of us is or should be an epiphany of the Lord. Having accomplished his mission, John deliberately exited the stage, and never did anything that undermined the ministry, message and mission of Jesus. Amazing!

Friends, John the Baptist is a shinning example, a perfect exemplar, and a perfect role model for us all, especially those who have a problem with pride; who cannot work under another person, who think they are larger than life, and who always want to be, stay and remain in the spotlight. He is an epitome of example for us all, especially those who often claim to be what they are not. He’s a good example for those of us who are constantly craving for recognition, and who will do anything to always be in the news, etc. John was a highly placed and respectable prophet, but he did not let his popularity and fame get into his head. He did not forget who he was and what his mission was about. He knew the role he was to play, and he performed it with distinction. No wonder Jesus said of him, “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women,  there has been none greater than John the Baptist…” Like John the Baptist, are we willing to witness and manifest Jesus to everyone we meet? Are we ready to decrease and then allow the Lord to increase in us? Letting the self decrease, and allowing the Lord to increase in us is what holiness is all about.