WITNESSES, NOT MASTERS: POINTING TO THE LAMB OF GOD
Listening the Spirit
Almighty God, your only Son, begotten from all ages, humbled himself as a child in Nazareth and became subject to Mary and Joseph. Grant that we may learn from his example to embrace your will in all things and, holding fast to the dignity of all, serve our lowly brothers and sisters with open hands and gentle heart.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Listening the Word: John 1:29-34
John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
“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.’
I did not know him,
but the reason why I came baptizing with water
was that he might be made known to Israel.”
John testified further, saying,
“I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven
and remain upon him.
I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”
Reflection
“Behold the Lamb of God. Behold He who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb”.
Since we have participated in our first Holy Mass we have said these words in front of Jesus-Eucharist, elevated by the priest before all the assembly. It is a sentence powerful for its meaning: we acknowledge that Jesus-Eucharist is the fulfillment of the prophecies: the Isaiah’s Servant – the Suffering Savior who takes on himself all the sins of the world to bring Redemption (ref. Is 53) -, the Passover Lamb (ref. Ex 12) whose blood gives salvation and freedom from evil, through His humility (Jesus has just received John’s baptism, lining himself up with the sinners, as the least among the last). Proclaiming this sentence makes us acknowledge the truth. It makes us witnesses as John has been a clear witness of Jesus in front of all his disciples: Jesus is the Lamb of God.
To be a true witness of the Love of God is not something automatic: it is a gift of the Grace of God that forms in the person a Spirit of humility together with the courage to proclaim the truth and the disposition to accept the fruits of this proclamation in our life. The witness has to work on himself first, to learn through a patient everyday work how to discern and embody Jesus ‘New Life given to us by His Grace. Finally it is a matter linked with what St. Paul says in Galatians 2:20 “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me". To embody these words is a task that takes all our life, but it is the key point in order to become true witnesses of Jesus, knowing that “The world listens to witnesses, and no longer to masters” (pope Paul VI).
A real missionary life is a life that points at Jesus – as John the Baptist did in this passage of the Gospel – unifying all his actions, all his words, all his emotions towards Him, following Him. Saint Guido Maria Conforti – our Saint Founder – put a deep effort in order to form the members of our Xaverian Congregation with this “Spirit of living Faith, which enables us to see God, seek God, Love God in all” (Testament Letter 10): get missionaries that give witness through their own lives.
Let us take some minutes to contemplate the humility and the frankness of John the Baptist. Let us ask the gift to become true missionaries, adopting these same attitudes for the Glory of the kingdom of God.
Reflection Questions
1. How does my daily life point to Jesus rather than to myself?
2. What “patient everyday work” is God calling me to embrace in order to become a true witness?
