Christmas Weekday
Lectionary: 206
Lectionary: 206
If you consider that
God is righteous,
you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness
is begotten by him.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God’s children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.
Everyone who commits sin commits lawlessness,
for sin is lawlessness.
You know that he was revealed to take away sins,
and in him there is no sin.
No one who remains in him sins;
no one who sins has seen him or known him.
you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness
is begotten by him.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God’s children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.
Everyone who commits sin commits lawlessness,
for sin is lawlessness.
You know that he was revealed to take away sins,
and in him there is no sin.
No one who remains in him sins;
no one who sins has seen him or known him.
Responsorial
Psalm PS 98:1, 3CD-4, 5-6
R. (3cd) All the ends of the
earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
AlleluiaJN 1:14A, 12A
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him
he gave power to become the children of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him
he gave power to become the children of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 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 the sky
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.
For the readings of the Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, please go here.
“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 the sky
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.
For the readings of the Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, please go here.
Meditation:
"Behold
the Lamb of God!"
John
calls Jesus the Lamb of God and thus signifies Jesus' mission
as the One who redeems us from our sins. The blood of the Passover Lamb (Exodus
12) delivered the Israelites in Egypt from slavery and death. The Lord Jesus
freely offered up his life for us on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our
sins (1 Corinthians 5:7). The blood which he poured out for us on the cross
cleanses, heals, and frees us from our slavery to sin, and from the "wages
of sin which is death" (Romans 6:23) and the "destruction of both
body and soul in hell" (Matthew 10:28).
John
points to Jesus' saving mission - to offer up his life as the atoning sacrifice
for our sins
It is significant that John was the son of Zachariah, a priest of Israel who participated in the daily sacrifice of a lamb in the temple for the sins of the people (Exodus 29). John recognized that Jesus was the perfect unblemished lamb offered by the Father in heaven as the one and only sacrifice that could cancel the debt of sin, and free us from death and the destruction of body and soul in hell.
It is significant that John was the son of Zachariah, a priest of Israel who participated in the daily sacrifice of a lamb in the temple for the sins of the people (Exodus 29). John recognized that Jesus was the perfect unblemished lamb offered by the Father in heaven as the one and only sacrifice that could cancel the debt of sin, and free us from death and the destruction of body and soul in hell.
The
Holy Spirit reveals who Jesus truly is - the Son of God and Savior of the world
When John says he did not know Jesus (John 1:31,33) he was referring to the hidden reality of Jesus' divinity. But the Holy Spirit in that hour revealed to John Jesus' true nature, such that John bore witness that this is the Son of God. How can we be certain that Jesus is truly the Christ, the Son of the living God? The Holy Spirit makes the Lord Jesus Christ known to us through the gift of faith. God gives us his Spirit as our helper and guide who opens our hearts and minds to receive and comprehend the great mystery and plan of God - to unite all things in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:10).
When John says he did not know Jesus (John 1:31,33) he was referring to the hidden reality of Jesus' divinity. But the Holy Spirit in that hour revealed to John Jesus' true nature, such that John bore witness that this is the Son of God. How can we be certain that Jesus is truly the Christ, the Son of the living God? The Holy Spirit makes the Lord Jesus Christ known to us through the gift of faith. God gives us his Spirit as our helper and guide who opens our hearts and minds to receive and comprehend the great mystery and plan of God - to unite all things in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:10).
Do
you want to grow in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ? Ask the Lord to
pour his Holy Spirit upon you to deepen your faith, hope, and love for God and
for the plan he has for your life.
"Lord
Jesus Christ, fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit and let me grow in the
knowledge of your great love and truth. Let your Spirit be aflame in my heart
that I may know and love you more fervently and strive to do your will in all
things."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: John points to Jesus' saving mission,
by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"No
longer does John need to 'prepare the way,' since the one for whom the
preparation was being made is right there before his eyes... But now he who of
old was dimly pictured, the very Lamb, the spotless Sacrifice, is led to the
slaughter for all, that he might drive away the sin of the world, that he might
overturn the destroyer of the earth, that dying for all he might annihilate
death, that he might undo the curse that is upon us... For one Lamb died for
all (2 Corinthians 5:14), saving the whole flock on earth to God the Father,
one for all, that he might subject all to God." (excerpt from
the COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 2.1)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, JOHN 1:29-34
Christmas Weekday
(1 John 2:29―3:6; Psalm 98)
Christmas Weekday
(1 John 2:29―3:6; Psalm 98)
KEY VERSE: "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (v.29).
TO KNOW: When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming to him for baptism, he called him by the significant title: "Lamb of God" (v.29). Just as the blood of the Passover lamb saved the Israelites from death (Ex 12), Jesus, the new Paschal lamb, would shed his blood for the sins of the world. Jesus was God's suffering servant who would be led "like a lamb to slaughter" (Is 53:7-10). In the Book of Revelation, Jesus is portrayed as the victorious lamb who conquered evil through his death and resurrection (Rv.5:6-14). John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the anointed one (the Messiah) when he saw God's Spirit come to rest upon him "like a dove" (Jn 2:32). Jesus, God's Son, baptized not with water but with the purifying grace of the Holy Spirit.
TO LOVE: How can I point the way to Jesus for others?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, Lamb of God, thank you for giving me life by dying for my sins.
NOTE: “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” We boldly speak those words at Mass because we believe that Christ is truly present in our midst in the Eucharist and that, by means of this Blessed Sacrament, he offers a remedy for our sins.
Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus
The name "Jesus" is a form of the Hebrew name "Joshua" meaning "The Lord is salvation." Joshua led Israel across the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Jesus, who through his sacrifice on the cross, leads us through the waters of our baptism into the Promised Land of heaven. Paul wrote, "God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11).
NOTE: The “IHS” is the first three letters of the spelling of “Jesus” in Greek (iota, eta, sigma); in Latin “IHS” is Iesus Hominum Salvator meaning “Jesus, Savior of Mankind.” In modern English “IHS” is often used by Christians to mean “In His Service.” Chi Rho is a Christian symbol for “Christ” written by superimposing two Greek letters for the name of “CHRist.” “Chi (X)” and “Rho (P).” In the first hundred years of the faith, it was a secret sign for Christians to identify themselves to each other and was used in catacomb art from the c. 150’s through the 350’s AD. The Emperor Constantine believed he won the battle of Milvian Bridge because the Chi Rho appeared in the sky the day before the battle. Later, in the Edit of Milan, Constantine declared Christianity legal in the Roman Empire. Almost 300 years of the persecution of the Christians were over.
Friday 3 January 2020
The Most Holy Name of Jesus
1 John 2:29-3:6. Psalm 97(98):1, 3-6. John 1:29-34.
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God – Psalm 97(98):1, 3-6
‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’
1 John 2:29-3:6. Psalm 97(98):1, 3-6. John 1:29-34.
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God – Psalm 97(98):1, 3-6
‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’
What is in a name? When we are called by our name we encounter
our deepest identity. Through a life of being called by our name we become who
we are – our deepest self. When we call another by their name, we enter into
relationship with them. We draw forth a response from them, and we move into
conversation and mutuality.
Today the church celebrates The Most Holy Name of Jesus. This
feast recognises that through this human name we encounter God. The name of
Jesus is the name of the Incarnate Word of God. It is in and through this name
that we have salvation.
In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist proclaims Jesus as ‘the Lamb
of God’. John knows Jesus’ deepest identity. Indeed, John ‘prepared the way for
the Lord’, moving into the background when it came time for Jesus to fulfil his
mission.
Most Holy Name of Jesus
Saint of the Day for January 3
 |
| IHS monogram, on top of the main altar of the Gesù, Rome, Italy | Jastrow |
The Story of the Most Holy Name of Jesus
Although Saint Paul might claim credit for promoting
devotion to the Holy Name because Paul wrote in Philippians that God the Father
gave Christ Jesus “that name that is above every name” (see 2:9), this devotion
became popular because of 12th-century Cistercian monks and nuns but especially
through the preaching of Saint Bernardine of Siena, a 15th-century
Franciscan.
Bernardine used devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus as a way of
overcoming bitter and often bloody class struggles and family rivalries or
vendettas in Italian city-states. The devotion grew, partly because of
Franciscan and Dominican preachers. It spread even more widely after the
Jesuits began promoting it in the 16th century.
In 1530, Pope Clement V approved an Office of the Holy Name for
the Franciscans. In 1721, Pope Innocent XIII extended this feast to the entire
Church.
Reflection
Jesus died and rose for the sake of all people. No one can
trademark or copyright Jesus’ name. Jesus is the Son of God and son of Mary.
Everything that exists was created in and through the Son of God (see
Colossians 1:15-20). The name of Jesus is debased if any Christian uses it as
justification for berating non-Christians. Jesus reminds us that because we are
all related to him we are, therefore, all related to one another.
Lectio Divina: John 1:29-34
Lectio Divina
Friday, January 3, 2020
Christmas Time
1) Opening prayer
Father, You make known the salvation of mankind
at the birth of Your Son.
Make us strong in faith
and bring us to the glory You promise.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
at the birth of Your Son.
Make us strong in faith
and bring us to the glory You promise.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - 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 the sky 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."
3) Reflection
• In the Gospel of John, history and symbol join together. In
today’s text, the symbolism consists in recalling texts of the Old Testament
which reveal hints to the identity of Jesus of Nazareth. In these few verses
(Jn 1:29-34) we find the following expressions which contain a symbolical
description: 1) Lamb of God; 2) Who takes away the sins of the world; 3) He
existed before me; 4) The descent of the Spirit in the form of a dove; 5) Son
of God.
• Lamb of God. This title brings to mind the Exodus and the night of the first Passover. The blood of the Paschal Lamb, with which the doors of the houses were signed, was a sign of liberation (Ex 12:13-14). Jesus is the new Paschal Lamb who liberates His people (1 Co 5:7; 1 P 1:19; Rev 5:6-9).
• Who takes away the sins of the World. This recalls a very beautiful phrase of the prophecy of Jeremiah: “There will be no further need for everyone to teach neighbor or brother: “You will know the Lord, they will all know me, from the least to the greatest, says the Lord; since I shall forgive their guilt and never more call their sin to mind” (Jer 31:34).
• He existed before me. This recalls several texts of the Books of Wisdom, in which God’s Wisdom, which existed before all the other creatures and which was with God, fixed her dwelling among the people of God (Pro 8:22-31; Eccl 24:1-11).
• The descent of the Spirit in the form of a dove. It denotes creative action where it is said that the “Spirit of God sweeping over the waters” (Gen 1:2). The text of Genesis suggests the image of a bird which flies over its nest. An image of the new creation is thanks to the action of Jesus.
• Son of God. This is the title which summarizes all the others. The best comment on this title is the explanation from Jesus himself: “The Jews answered Him: ‘We are stoning You not for doing a good work, but for blasphemy: though You are only a man, You claim to be God”. Jesus answered: “Is it not written in your Law: I said: you are gods?” So the word ‘gods’ refers to those people to whom the word of God was addressed (and Scripture cannot be set aside). Yet to someone whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world you say, “You are blaspheming because I said, I am Son of God? If I am not doing My Father’s work there is no need to believe Me, but if I am doing it, then even if you refuse to believe in Me, at least believe in the work I do; then you will know for certain that the Father is in Me and I am in the Father” (Jn 10:33-38).
• Lamb of God. This title brings to mind the Exodus and the night of the first Passover. The blood of the Paschal Lamb, with which the doors of the houses were signed, was a sign of liberation (Ex 12:13-14). Jesus is the new Paschal Lamb who liberates His people (1 Co 5:7; 1 P 1:19; Rev 5:6-9).
• Who takes away the sins of the World. This recalls a very beautiful phrase of the prophecy of Jeremiah: “There will be no further need for everyone to teach neighbor or brother: “You will know the Lord, they will all know me, from the least to the greatest, says the Lord; since I shall forgive their guilt and never more call their sin to mind” (Jer 31:34).
• He existed before me. This recalls several texts of the Books of Wisdom, in which God’s Wisdom, which existed before all the other creatures and which was with God, fixed her dwelling among the people of God (Pro 8:22-31; Eccl 24:1-11).
• The descent of the Spirit in the form of a dove. It denotes creative action where it is said that the “Spirit of God sweeping over the waters” (Gen 1:2). The text of Genesis suggests the image of a bird which flies over its nest. An image of the new creation is thanks to the action of Jesus.
• Son of God. This is the title which summarizes all the others. The best comment on this title is the explanation from Jesus himself: “The Jews answered Him: ‘We are stoning You not for doing a good work, but for blasphemy: though You are only a man, You claim to be God”. Jesus answered: “Is it not written in your Law: I said: you are gods?” So the word ‘gods’ refers to those people to whom the word of God was addressed (and Scripture cannot be set aside). Yet to someone whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world you say, “You are blaspheming because I said, I am Son of God? If I am not doing My Father’s work there is no need to believe Me, but if I am doing it, then even if you refuse to believe in Me, at least believe in the work I do; then you will know for certain that the Father is in Me and I am in the Father” (Jn 10:33-38).
4) Personal questions
• Jesus offered himself completely for the whole of humanity.
What can I offer to help my neighbor?
• We have also received the Holy Spirit. How conscious or aware am I that I am His temple?
• We have also received the Holy Spirit. How conscious or aware am I that I am His temple?
5) Concluding prayer
Sing a new song to Yahweh,
for He has performed wonders,
His saving power is in His right hand
and His holy arm. (Ps 98:1)
for He has performed wonders,
His saving power is in His right hand
and His holy arm. (Ps 98:1)
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