2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 18, 2026
We are each called to testify to the importance of Jesus in our lives
John 1:29-34
The next day, he saw Jesus coming towards him and said, “Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. It was of him that I said, ‘Behind me comes one who has passed ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know him myself, and yet my purpose in coming to baptize with water was so that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John declared, “I saw the Spirit come down on him like a dove from heaven and rest on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptize with water had said to me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is to baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.”
REFLECTIONS
Commentary on John 1:29-34 from Living Space, a service of the Irish Jesuits
Yesterday we saw John the Baptist denying that he was the Messiah or any of the great prophets. Today he gives testimony to Jesus as the one he had been talking about. The passage begins with “The next day…” We mentioned already that the opening section of John up to the wedding at Cana represents a week, echoing the seven days of creation in Genesis. We will see that phrase occurring three more times in the first chapter, and that brings us to the fourth day of the week. There is then a gap, but the wedding at Cana is introduced as taking place “on the third day”, that is, after the previous four, and hence is the seventh day. As John saw Jesus approaching he said to those around him, “Look, there is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Another feature of this first chapter is that the author introduces the various titles of Jesus which he uses later on. Why the Lamb? The central feature of the Jewish Passover feast was the lamb, which was eaten during the Passover meal. It recalled the lamb which the families of the Israelites ate on the eve of their escape from Egypt, and whose blood was painted on the doorposts of their houses. When the angel of God came to destroy all the firstborn, it “passed over” the houses of the Israelites, which had been marked with the lamb’s blood. This became then a symbol of liberation, and one of the most important celebrations in the Jewish calendar. For us, however, there is now a new symbol of liberation, a new Lamb. Jesus is both the offerer of the sacrifice and its victim, and his death and resurrection inaugurate a New Covenant between God and his people. It is perhaps significant that in all the gospel accounts of the Last Supper, there is no mention of a lamb being eaten during the meal. Because there was, of course, a new Lamb, who told his companions to take and eat, take and drink the bread and wine “handed over for you”. And it is through the blood of this Lamb that we find salvation and liberation. The title Lamb of God also recalls the suffering servant led like a lamb to the slaughter, which we read about in Isaiah (53:7,10). In Revelation, too, we read of the victorious apocalyptic lamb who will destroy the evil in the world (5:5-7;17:14). The Baptist then indicates the superiority of Jesus over himself. “He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man existed before me’.” In the context of the Prologue we read earlier, this is an intimation of Jesus’ pre-existence as the Word with God (remember, chronologically, John was slightly older than Jesus). John also explains why he was baptising; it was to make Jesus known to the people of Israel. His baptism did not have the power to forgive sin; this would be the prerogative of Jesus and his disciples (John also says that up to this, he had not known Jesus, which conflicts with the other gospels, where he is presented as a close relative.) John then continues to talk about the baptism of Jesus, whereas the event itself is described in Matthew and Luke. He says that he personally saw the Spirit of God come down on Jesus like a dove, and it stayed with him, indicating the enduring relationship between God and his Father. The dove is a symbol of new life, recalling the dove which brought the olive branch back to Noah’s ark and indicated that the Flood was over. At the same time, the One who told John to baptise with water, also said that the One on whom the Spirit came down would, in turn, baptise with the Holy Spirit. And the Baptist concludes: “Now I have seen and given witness that he is the Son of God.” Here we have another title of Jesus. Each one of us has also received the same Spirit in our baptism. It was that Spirit which inspired Jesus in all his Messianic work, climaxing in his death on the cross. May the same Spirit inspire us to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and join with him in his work to build the Kingdom.
“First Impressions” by Jude Siciliano, O.P.
Isaiah 49: 3, 5-6; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 1: 1-3; John 1:29-34
The Christmas season has ended, yet we are still very much in “epiphany mode.” Today is called the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, the beginning of what the Church names “Ordinary Time.” We will count thirty-three Sundays in Ordinary Time until November 15. The title given to these weeks can be a bit misleading. This time is not “ordinary” in the everyday sense of the word. Rather, it is a season for the ongoing revealing of who Jesus is and why he has come. To repeat: we are still in “epiphany mode.” In Isaiah 49, the Servant is chosen from the womb, named by God, and given a twofold mission: to restore Israel and to be “a light to the nations,” so that God’s salvation may reach “to the ends of the earth.” This reading helps us see beyond Bethlehem, which features so prominently during the Christmas season. The child revealed to us at Christmas is now shown to be the One sent to the whole world: “I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” During these early weeks of Ordinary Time, this universal horizon is emphasized. Isaiah proclaims it poetically, and John’s Gospel illuminates that same message, interpreting Isaiah’s vision for us through the person of Jesus. John the Baptist points out Jesus – but he does more than point. He interprets Jesus for us. He identifies him as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John testifies that he saw the Spirit descend and remain on Jesus and declares him to be the Son of God. In John’s Gospel, Isaiah’s Servant is revealed as both the Lamb who bears sin and the Spirit-filled Son who reveals the Father. What Isaiah announces in poetry, John proclaims explicitly: “He is the Son of God.” The Baptist’s role is to point away from himself. Isaiah reminds Israel – and us – that being chosen by God always involves being sent for others. “I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” This Sunday, then, prepares us for mission: first, to recognize who Jesus is, and then to bear his light to the world. We probably know people who have fulfilled, at least in part, this servant role described in Isaiah 49. One person who came close to embodying it was Dorothy Day. Like the servant depicted in Isaiah, she did not seek prominence. Her words and actions pointed to God rather than ideas, and she lived for the sake of others, especially the least and the forgotten. Dorothy Day offered a distinctly poetic witness to the modern world. She understood her work not as a career, but as a vocation. Though she was a convert, her conversion to Catholicism did not narrow her vision; it clarified her mission. Like Isaiah’s Servant, whose call extended beyond Israel “to the nations,” Dorothy’s witness reached far beyond the boundaries of the Church. Her moral authority was recognized by atheists, labor organizers, the poor, and believers alike. People of moral authority like Dorothy Day make ancient prophets such as Isaiah and Christian prophets like John the Baptist, strikingly contemporary for us. Through them, God continues to speak in our “Ordinary Time,” calling us to en-flesh the Word of God through our words and actions. We are not to call attention to ourselves, but to Christ present in our midst, especially among the suffering of the world. As Dorothy once said, “We cannot love God unless we love each other,” and “The Gospel takes away our right forever to discriminate between the deserving and the undeserving poor.” Dorothy lived this conviction concretely, insisting that Christ is revealed precisely where the world is least inclined to look. That is the sign of true discipleship; not dramatic gestures, but constant, uncompromising fidelity which makes God’s mercy visible to all. Dorothy teaches us that God’s light is meant for all nations. John the Baptist pointed to Christ without claiming rank or privilege for himself. To be a servant of God is not to seek recognition, but to make God’s mercy available. In our parishes, there are those who serve quietly by visiting, advocating for, or accompanying those in need. When we do this, we may not be solving problems, but we are revealing Christ already present among us – especially among the least. It may be Ordinary Time, but there is nothing ordinary about people in our faith communities who offer a steady, quiet witness. Like John the Baptist, they help others recognize the Lamb of God already in our midst. Finally, Paul’s words from First Corinthians today may seem modest, little more than a greeting. But they too belong to our Sunday proclamation. Isaiah speaks of God’s Servant; the Gospel reveals Christ’s identity; and Paul reminds us who receives this revelation: “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy.” A real community – like the one in Corinth – imperfect, divided, and deeply human, shows us how God’s saving word continues to take flesh among us each day. We do not seek holiness by withdrawing from the world, but, as Isaiah calls us, by being a faithful presence within it.
Quotable
“God is closer to us than we are to ourselves.” — Augustine of Hippo
Justice Bulletin Board by Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, NC
I announced your justice in the vast assembly.—Psalm 40:10
Last Fall, Pope Leo offered a reflection about migrants and refugees reminding Catholics that we are all called to always be missionaries of hope. Here are some excerpts: The current global context is sadly marked by wars, violence, injustice and extreme weather events, which force millions of people to leave their homelands in search of refuge elsewhere. The widespread tendency to look after the interests of limited communities poses a serious threat to the sharing of responsibility, multilateral cooperation, the pursuit of the common good and global solidarity for the benefit of our entire human family. The prospect of a renewed arms race and the development of new armaments, including nuclear weapons, the lack of consideration for the harmful effects of the ongoing climate crisis, and the impact of profound economic inequalities make the challenges of the present and the future increasingly demanding. Faced with frightening scenarios and the possibility of global devastation, it is important that there be a growing desire in people’s hearts for a future of peace and of respect for the dignity of all. Such a future is essential to God’s plan for humanity and the rest of creation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “The virtue of hope responds to the aspiration to happiness which God has placed in the heart of every man and woman; it takes up the hopes that inspire human activities” (N. 1818). What is more, the search for happiness, and the prospect of finding it beyond one’s place of origin, is certainly one of the main motivations for the movement of people today. In a special way, Catholic migrants and refugees can become missionaries of hope in the countries that welcome them, forging new paths of faith where the message of Jesus Christ has not yet arrived or initiating interreligious dialogue based on everyday life and the search for common values. . .At the same time, the communities that welcome them can also be a living witness to hope, one that is understood as the promise of a present and a future where the dignity of all as children of God is recognized. In this way, migrants and refugees are recognized as brothers and sisters, part of a family in which they can express their talents and participate fully in community life. Message of the Holy Father for the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2025 Are you a missionary of hope toward migrants and refugees?
Faith Book—Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the run. “Faith Book” is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home.
From today’s Gospel reading: “John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
Reflection: By calling Jesus “the Lamb of God,” John evokes the Passover lamb and the suffering servant – images of sacrifice, deliverance, and mercy. Jesus comes toward us not in judgment, but bearing the weight of the world’s brokenness, willing to take upon himself the sin that alienates humanity from God. In this moment, faith begins by looking, by recognizing who Jesus is and trusting what he comes to do for us.
So, we ask ourselves:
—Where in my life do I most need to let Jesus take away sin, guilt, or burden I still carry?
—Like John the Baptist, how can I point others – not to myself – but to Christ at work in the world today?
From America Magazine: Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), Jan. 20, 2008
Readings: Is 49:3, 5-6; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10; 1 Cor 1:1-3; Jn 1:29-34
“Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God” (Jn 1:34)
John’s Gospel does not include a direct account of Jesus’ baptism. Instead it supplies the testimony or witness of John the Baptist and his reflections on who Jesus is. By considering what the Baptist saw in Jesus, we may see more clearly what we can hope for from Jesus. In his first chapter John the Evangelist develops an overture or prologue to his account of Jesus’ public ministry as well as his death and resurrection. He gives special attention to the various titles applied to Jesus, ranging from Word of God to the glorious Son of Man; taken together these titles highlight the decisive importance of Jesus. Today’s selection devoted to the testimony of John the Baptist focuses on Jesus as the Lamb of God, the bearer or vehicle of the Holy Spirit and the Son of God. John testified that Jesus is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” This imagery evokes the Old Testament rituals of sacrificing an animal to God as a way of atoning for sins and restoring right relationship with God. For early Christians the image of Jesus as the Lamb of God expressed the conviction that Jesus died for us and for our sins and made possible a right relationship. Theologians call this justification. Through the Lamb of God we can hope for forgiveness of our sins and right relationship with God. John also testified that at the baptism the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus, and that Jesus became the primary bearer or vehicle of the Holy Spirit. This in turn qualified Jesus to baptize with both water and the Holy Spirit. In his Last Supper discourse Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit upon the community of his followers. He calls the Holy Spirit the Paraclete, a word that combines the Spirit’s roles as consoler, guide and defender. Through the Spirit of Jesus we can hope for the gift of the Holy Spirit and the possibility of living “in the spirit.” John testified that Jesus is the Son of God, a title that evokes the figure of the Servant of God described in Isaiah 49. There the servant has the mission to proclaim God’s saving power not for Israel alone but for all nations. As the Son of God, Jesus addressed God as his loving father. And Jesus invites us to share his own unique relationship of intimacy with God. Through the Son of God we are God’s children now. We can stand alongside Jesus and call upon God as our father too. What did John see in Jesus? What can we hope for from Jesus? Through Jesus we can hope for forgiveness of sins, right relationship with God, the guidance of the Holy Spirit and permission to approach God with confidence and even boldness as befits the spiritual brothers and sisters of Jesus. This is what Paul means when he describes Christians as “sanctified in Christ Jesus” and “called to be holy.” Boston College School of Theology & Ministry: An int’l theological center preparing leaders for the church in the 21st century.
Praying with Scripture
• How do you respond to the image of Jesus as the Lamb of God?
• How is the gift of the Holy Spirit related to Jesus?
• Do you ever think of Jesus as your brother?
PREPARATION FOR THE SESSION
Adapted from Sacred Space: The Prayer Book 2025
Presence of God: Jesus, As I come to you today, fill my heart, my whole being, with the wonder of your sacred presence. Help me to become more aware of your presence in my life, and more receptive to that presence. I desire to love you as you love me. May nothing ever separate me from you. ( 1-2 minutes of silence)
Freedom: Jesus, Grant me the grace to have freedom of spirit. Keep me from being bound by desires and actions that are not good for me or others. Cleanse my heart and soul that I may live joyously in your love. ( 1-2 minutes of silence)
Consciousness: Where am I with God? With others in my life? What am I grateful for? Is there something I am sorry for, words or actions that have hurt others, and which I now regret? I take a moment to ask forgiveness of God and of those whom I have hurt. God, I give you thanks for your constant love and care for me. Keep me always aware of your presence in my life. (2-3 minutes of silence)
OPENING PRAYER
Sometimes, Lord, I am puzzled by the direction my life has taken and I do not always respond as fully as I could. Just what are you calling me to in this very moment of my life? Help me to recognize you when you show up in my daily life, unannounced, and help me to see your presence in my day to day life. Help me to see you in the needs of those around me. Help me to recognize opportunities for growth, grace, and service in the most mundane corners of my life, and in the ordinary people I meet.
COMPANIONS FOR THE JOURNEY
From “First Impressions 2013”. A service of the Southern Dominican Province
The gospel today makes a shift. Until now we have been focusing on John, Jesus’ precursor. Now the gospel, through the Baptist’s testimony, passes us from John to Jesus. But before we make that move, let’s linger a moment longer with John. Imagine what John the Baptist had to go through in his ministry. It started when he received a call to announce the one coming after him who would be greater then he; one John names today as, “the Lamb of God.” This was the one who would take away the sin of the world. At first, John didn’t know who this one coming would be. He had to wait for a further revelation, as he testifies today, “At first, I did not know him….” In fact, twice John admits, “I did not know him.” John had to wait to see the Spirit descend “Like a dove” and remain on Jesus. When that happened, then John would finally know the one he had been expecting and preparing the people to receive--the one who would “baptize with the Holy Spirit.” John had to work blind for a while. He received his initial call, then had to wait. But his waiting didn’t mean he sat down and did nothing. He got busy and acted on his call, trusting that when the moment came to see the fulfillment of his ministry God would show him what to do next. John reminds us of the Magi. They received a message when they first saw the star in the night sky. They responded, leaving home, to follow the message of the star. But they, like John, had to go a while before they arrived at their goal and recognized Jesus. As the baptized, we are all involved in ministry. Some of us have official positions within the church, others respond privately to the needs around us. Each of us has heard a call to ministry. Our lives are marked by these ministries and by the people who need us. But, in many ways, like John and the Magi, we work in the dark. Not only the in darkness of our world, but also in the darkness of our call. We invest ourselves in what we know we must do, but we have questions along the way: How much longer shall I continue to minister in this way? Am I in the right ministry for my talents? Why doesn’t what I do in service receive more official recognition? I thought after these years of ministry I would have made more of an impact. Looking back, did I receive a call at all, or was it my imagination or vanity? I don’t think some of these questions were foreign to the Baptist. He did have a keen sense of having been called. But then, he had to work until he got the next sign; the one indicating Jesus’ identity. Like the Magi, and like some of us, he journeyed without knowing the end results of his labors. But he anticipated that God would not leave him, but would be there for him, at the appropriate time, to reveal the next step to take. There is an end awaiting us; a time when we will see God face to face and there will be no more darkness. On this, we place all our hope. Until then, we continue our service in the Lord;s name. We stay committed to our faith community, especially when we gather in Eucharistic celebration. We also seek the Lord in regular times of prayer. If we are to make significant changes, like the Magi’s packing up to begin a search or, like John’s fulfilling his mission, we will need guidance in our ministry. Then, we shall place ourselves in a more intensive listening mode through quiet prayer; reflective reading and even seeking the counsel of a wise person who can help us identify the call of the Lord in our lives. I am grateful to such people who helped me notice the descent of the Spirit at important and transitional moments of my life. Thankfully someone was there to help me say, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove….” Who are those people for you? Let us give thanks. p.s. See First Impressions for 2026 ( appended). It speaks of someone who was called to minister in a very unique way: Dorothy Day…..
LIVING THE GOOD NEWS
What action can you take in the next week as a response to today’s reading and discussion? Keep a private journal of your prayer/actions responses this week. Feel free to use the personal reflection questions which follow.
Reflection Questions
If I had one sin that needed to be taken away, what would I choose?
What would you say is the “sin of the world”? Think of some examples of how this plays out in human behavior, personal relationships, politics, the world stage, the health of the planet….
What choices do we make as humans that emanate from this atmosphere of sin that pervades the world?
What means do we use to distract ourselves from a hopeless contemplation of the state of the world and ourselves?
John is a powerful witness to the presence and mission of Jesus the anointed of God. We are all anointed at our baptism, but have we been powerful witness of God’s presence in the world?
Do we assume this is reserved to the ordained?
Am I shy about discussing my faith with others?
Why?
What does it mean to really “see” someone?
What do you think John “saw” in Jesus?
What do you “see” in Jesus?
Andrew and Peter come to Jesus as a result of the testimony of John. Has anyone come to Jesus through your living testimony?
Has there ever been anyone in your experience that you have recognized as “special?”
In what way were they special?
How did they influence your life, if at all?
From Daniel J Harrington, S.J.:
How do you respond to the image of Jesus as the Lamb of God?
How is the gift of the Holy Spirit related to Jesus?
Do you ever think of Jesus as your brother?
From Father Paul Gallagher, OFM:
Twice in the text John admits, “I did not know him.” Do you think John is saying that he did not know his own cousin?
What does that say to you about the kind of person Jesus was?
What does this say to you about where you might find the face of Jesus present around you?
How difficult do you think it was for the Baptist to admit and accept the fact that his cousin, Jesus, was a much more important and significant person?
Have there been times in your own journey when you had to admit that you were not as important as others, or you yourself, once thought?
What were some of the things that helped you through that transition?
How is the journey of self-discovery before God taking place in your life now?
Does this gospel shed any light on that journey?
Psalm 40 says “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will.”
What do you think God’s will for you is?
What signs do you look for to confirm that you are doing God’s will?
CLOSING PRAYER
Don’t forget to provide some prayer time at the beginning and at the end of the session (or both), allowing time to offer prayers for anyone you wish to pray for.
From Sacred Space: Jesus, Lamb of God, we will never exhaust our knowledge of you. Let me grow steadily in that knowledge, making my picture of you even richer. Help me find the balance between being occupied in your service without letting my occupations overwhelm me.
FOR THE WEEK AHEAD
Weekly Memorization: Taken from the gospel for today’s session….Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.
Meditations:
A Meditation in the Ignation Style/Imagination: Read John 1: 19-28. In this section John is identified as a witness to the person, mission and real identity of Jesus. Imagine being at a religious gathering that is somewhat public--say an appearance of our Pope at the Vatican-- and Jesus shows up at the event. Would he look different than the others there? Would the Pope recognize him? Would we all see the Holy Spirit descend on him? How do you think you would react? In our actual time and space, we are still called upon to witness to Jesus. What sort of witness to the identity of Jesus are you and I called upon to make? How do we talk about Jesus as expression of God’s love for us, Jesus as our hope, and most difficult, Jesus as mystery? Pray for the grace to recognize Jesus in our world, for the courage to witness to his presence, and for the wisdom to do so in a way which draws others and does not judge.
A Meditation in the Dominican Style/Asking Questions: Let us for a moment pause and reflect on the world into which Jesus entered so many years ago. What economic, spiritual and societal challenges existed in Palestine so long ago? In his brief life, what changes did Jesus effect? Then consider the economic, spiritual and societal challenges we all face in life today. What are you called to bring to those challenges? What does Jesus’ life offer as an example for you?
A Meditation in the Augustinian Style/Relationship: Read Psalm 40 from the Sunday readings.
Psalm 40
I waited, I waited for the LORD, and he stooped down to me;
he heard my cry .He drew me from the deadly pit, from the miry clay.
He set my feet upon a rock, made my footsteps firm.
He put a new song into my mouth, praise of our God.
Many shall see and fear and shall trust in the LORD.
Blessed the man who has placed his trust in the LORD,
and has not gone over to the proud who follow false gods.
How many, O LORD my God, are the wonders and designs
that you have worked for us; you have no equal.
Should I wish to proclaim or speak of them, they would be more than I can tell!
You delight not in sacrifice and offerings, but in an open ear.
You do not ask for holocaust and victim.
Then I said, “See, I have come.” In the scroll of the book it stands written of me:
“I delight to do your will, O my God; your instruction lies deep within me.”
Your justice I have proclaimed in the great assembly. My lips I have not sealed; you know it, O LORD.
Your saving help I have not hidden in my heart; of your faithfulness and salvation I have spoken.
I made no secret of your merciful love and your faithfulness to the great assembly.
O LORD, you will not withhold your compassion from me. Your merciful love and your faithfulness
will always guard me. For I am beset with evils too many to be counted.
My iniquities have overtaken me, till I can see no more.
They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart is sinking.
Be pleased, O LORD, to rescue me; LORD, make haste to help me.
O let there be shame and confusion on those who seek my life.
O let them turn back in confusion who delight in my harm.
Let them be appalled because of their shame, those who jeer and mock me.
O let there be rejoicing and gladness for all who seek you.
Let them ever say, “The LORD is great,” who long for your salvation.
Wretched and poor though I am, the Lord is mindful of me.
You are my rescuer, my help;
O my God, do not delay.
Re-word the third-person verses this psalm as if you were speaking to God directly. Then spend some time examining which verses speak for you and capture your innermost feelings. Examine also those phrases of the psalm which call upon God to punish those who have wronged you. Is this how you feel sometimes? How did Jesus deal with a similar situation? How can a reflection of the life and mission of Jesus help you cope with the many issues and difficult poeple in your life? How can a reflection on the life and mission of Jesus help you to discern your own mission? Write your own psalm, being sure to include your commitment to the unique mission God has set out for you.
POETIC REFLECTION
In the following quirky poem, e.e.cummings seems to look at the experience of John the Baptist which we read about in John 29-34 in a different sort of way. How close does it come to your thoughts on Jesus and John?
no time ago
or else a life
walking in the dark
I met Christ
jesus)my heart
flopped over
and lay still
while he passed (as
close am I’m to you
yes closer
made of nothing
except loneliness.
