Behold the Lamb of God.

The Church returns to a short season of Ordinary Time before Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. John the Baptist sees Jesus coming toward him and tells everyone, “Behold the Lamb of God.” John is making known who Jesus is, that He is the Son of God and will baptize with the Holy Spirit, for John saw the Holy Spirit descend like a dove upon Jesus when Jesus came to be baptized by John. John is fulflling the role he had been given from birth, to be the one to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord in their midst. The Alleluia verse today says, “The Word of God became fesh and dwelt among us. To those who accepted Him, He gave power to become children of God.” Indeed, through our baptism, Jesus has made us children of God and continues to pour out the Holy Spirit upon us. Just as you are about to receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, the priest holds up the host before you and says, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” We accept in faith that Jesus comes to us in this most powerful way when we say “Amen” and receive Jesus’ Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. May Jesus set our hearts on fre with His love!

Peace,
Fr. Fred