Thursday, January
3, 2002
Week Before Epiphany
1st
Reading: 1 Jn 2:29-3:6
Gospel: Jn 1:29-34
When John saw Jesus coming towards him he said, "There is the Lamb
of God, who takes away the sin of the world. It is he of whom I said:
A man comes after me who is already ahead of me, for he was before me.
I myself did not know him, but I came baptizing to prepare for him, so
that he might be revealed in Israel."
And
John also gave this testimony, "I saw the Spirit coming down on him
like a dove from heaven and resting on him. I myself did not know him
but God who sent me to baptize told me: 'You will see the Spirit coming
down and resting on the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' Yes, I
have seen! and I declare that this is the Chosen One of God."
Commentary
John continues his
mission of witnessing to Jesus. "Fix your eyes on Jesus, God's lamb,
who will offer his life in sacrifice for our healing." John is a
good companion, for he too is searching for Jesus. "I did not know
him myself," he admits, "and yet it was to reveal him to Israel
that I came baptizing with water." As disciples of Jesus we can say
the same - we want to make him known to others yet we ourselves need to
know him better. John invites us to contemplate Jesus at his baptism,
watch the Spirit rest upon Jesus like a dove, and hear the divine call
to listen to Jesus as God's chosen one, chosen to reveal the truth and
loving kindness of God.