"Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" - Homily for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, 2023

 

"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

Homily for the 2^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, 2023

 

In our Gospel today we hear St. John the Baptist say, while pointing to Jesus, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  And that is the exact same thing every Catholic priest (or bishop) says at every Mass when they hold up the Host and chalice…”Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world…”

 

And so this forces a decision for every Catholic, including myself, and indeed every person around the world… do I really believe that bread and wine, after the priest or bishop prays the words of consecration becomes the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus…do we really believe the priest or bishop when they say “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”

 

There really is not a middle way…The Catholic Church is making a Truth claim…it either IS the Body, Blood Soul and Divinity of Jesus or it is not…There is not a half way “Maybe”.

 

And if it is a yes, then I need to orient my entire life around that reality.

But if it is not the Body, Blood Soul and Divinity of Jesus than I need to run as far away from the Catholic Church!

 

If we do believe that Jesus becomes present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity at this and every Mass…let us all together orient our entire lives around the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.