BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD! ~ CookingFood.Org

“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”

Tuesday, 3^rd January 2017,

Week before Epiphany

Memorial of the Holy Name of Jesus, or

Memorial of St. Kuriakose Chavara, Priest

1 Jn 2: 29-3:6;

Ps 98: 3-4;

Jn 1: 29-34.

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD!

Christians who have been divinely begotten of God have the privilege of experiencing God's love and living as members of His family (1 Jn 2:29-3:2). They are to demonstrate their family membership by righteous living. Christ has come to take away our sins. John points out that the person who continues sinning has never seen or known Christ (1 Jn 3:6). John was not suggesting that a Christian will never commit an act of sin, but rather that he would not live in the practice of sin. Jesus died to free us from slavery to sin.

In the Gospel, John declares Jesus as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (Jn 1:29 cf. Isa 53:4-7,10-12). Jesus is the basis of our salvation! We are not saved on the basis of our good deeds (cf. Tit 3:5); We are saved by the blood of the Lamb!( cf. Rev 1:5; 5:9; Rom 5:1) These same words are spoken every time we attend Mass when the priest holds up the Sacred Host: “Behold the Lamb of God…” And when we look at the Sacred Host, as it is held up at Mass for all to see, we see Jesus, the Sacrificial Lamb, in an even more veiled way. We see, with our eyes, a piece of bread. But with the eyes of faith, once again we behold the Savior. The Sacrificial Lamb of God is continually coming to us throughout our day. He is all around us, coming to us in veiled form, revealing Himself in faith. Do you see Him? Let us reflect upon those sacred words: “Behold the Lamb of God.” Let us seek Him out, discover Him with the eyes of faith and rejoice as He draws near.

Prayer: Lord, I behold Your divine presence today and every day. I seek You and love You. Give me the eyes of faith to discover Your real but hidden presence at all times. You are all around me every day. Help me to rejoice in how near You always are. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.