Introduction

The message of today speaks in two different senses of being God's sons and daughters. There is first Christ, the Son of God in a deeper way than one said to be beloved by God. John recognizes him as God's own Son, with a human and divine personality. He is sent among people by the Father as the One who will save us by his sufferings, as the Lamb, as the suffering servant.

On account of him we are born of God, we are God's sons and daughters, as John will say in his letter. However banal our existence may look, there is this astonishing truth: we are God's children. This is not merely a beautiful word; it's a deep reality. This dignity gives us the responsibility to grow, to give up sin, to mature to the full personhood of Christ, for that is what children are supposed to do.

Opening Prayer

Lord God, Father of Jesus Christ,
in your only Son you have made us
your sons and daughters,
who are born of you and live your life.
Help us to seek your will always
and to grow in your love,
towards that freedom and maturity
to which you have called us
in Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord,
who lives with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Liturgy of the Word

You know that he is the Just One: know then that anyone living justly is born of God.

See what singular love the Father has for us: we are called children of God, and we really are. This is why the world does not know us, because it did not know him.

Beloved, we are God's children and what we shall be has not yet been shown. Yet when he appears in his glory, we know that we shall be like him, for then we shall see him as he is. All who have such a hope try to be pure as he is pure.

Anyone who commits a sin acts as an enemy of the law of God; any sin acts wickedly, because all sin is wickedness. You know that he came to take away our sins, and that there is no sin in him. Whoever remains in him has no sin, whoever sins has not seen or known him.

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.

The LORD has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.

Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD.

Gospel Reading: John 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

The term "Lamb of God" is rich in meaning. It comes from the experience of the first Passover, during which the blood of the lamb was marked on the doorposts of the people of Israel so that they might be spared from death. So too is the Precious Blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, poured out upon the cross so that we might have life and have it to the full.
We hear the words of John the Baptist at every Mass, just before the opportunity for Holy Communion. How truly blessed we are to be called to the supper of the Lamb of God.

General Intercessions

- That more and more people all over the world may know that they are children of God, of a God who loves them tenderly as a father and a mother, we pray:

- That however different we are in very many ways, we may come to accept, appreciate and love one another as brothers and sisters, we pray:

- That God may recreate us anew every day in the image of his Son and let us grow up more and more in the likeness of Jesus, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord God, our Father,
these gifts of bread and wine,
coming from your hands,
are also the fruit of our toil.
We bring them before you
as the signs of our goodwill
to continue the struggle
against the forces of evil
in us and around us.
In the storms and trials of life
help us to overcome sin,
that you may reveal to us the glory,
which you have prepared for us
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Lord God, our Father,
you have visited your sons and daughters
through our brother Jesus Christ.
Help us to live together
as a community of friendship, sharing and peace,
that we may bear witness
that you are our God and we your people,
through our brother and Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessing

Children of God, that is indeed what we are. May the thought of this reality fill us with a sense of admiration, gratitude and security. May almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.