JOHN 1: 29 – 34: “RECOGNIZING CHRIST” 

INTRODUCTION

This Sunday we begin the season of “Ordinary Time,” and it continues till Lent.

Most of life, we are in “ordinary time” and few extraordinary things happen.

The challenge is to recognize Christ in the ordinary events of our life.

This is one of the underlying themes of our Gospel reading today.

BACKGROUND

Today we hear St. John the Evangelist’s version of the Baptism of the Lord. 

Notice that John does not recount the baptism itself but refers to it indirectly, recalling the descent of the Holy Spirit and perhaps the voice from heaven.

The reason for this could be the fact that, it was an embarrassment to the early Church to consider that the sinless Jesus submitted to an act of forgiveness of sins.

GOSPEL

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

This verse, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,” is used during the “fraction rite” (“Lamb of God”) and the Communion Rite at Mass.

The title “Lamb of God” could have had several layers of meaning for John the Baptist, as well as John the Evangelist.  John alludes to two OT lamb references.

1.      The first lamb is the “passover lamb.” According to the tradition preserved in Exodus (12:22), the Israelites, enslaved in Egypt, were spared from death by smearing the blood from a lamb on the doorposts and lintels of their homes.  When John named Jesus “Lamb of God,” he was in effect, declaring Jesus, as the new passover lamb, whose blood shed on the cross, would save all of humanity.

2.      The second lamb is referred to in Isaiah (Is. 53: 7) as a “suffering servant.”   “Like a lamb led to the slaughter…pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins… who had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood… who gave his life as an offering for sin… through his suffering, all shall be justified.”

When John named Jesus “Lamb of God,” he affirmed that, through his innocent suffering and death, Jesus had fully realized the saving role of the Isaian servant.

Also, prior to 70AD and the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem, a lamb was sacrificed every morning and every evening there in atonement for people’s sins.

John recognizes that Jesus is like a lamb, as he sacrificed himself for our sins.

Interestingly in John’s Gospel, Jesus is slain at the same time and day as the lambs for the Passover meal were being slain.

“He is the one of whom I said: ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me, because he is before me.’”

John the Baptist continues in his role as a witness to Jesus, as he clearly points out Jesus’ superiority over him, as well as his pre-existence (before the world began).

“I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be 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.”

Two times John the Baptist very candidly admits, “I did not know him.”

Presumably, John knew Jesus as his relative (Elizabeth and Mary were cousins), but John did not initially know Jesus as “Son of God” and the Messiah.

Something happened at the baptism of Jesus which convinced John beyond all doubt that Jesus was the Son of God.  After John witnessed the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus at his baptism, then he recognized Jesus for who he truly is, the “Son of God.”

The Spirit was understood to have been given to the prophets for a time, but it remains with Jesus. 

“Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

HOW TO RECOGNIZE CHRIST

We can take consolation in the fact that John only gradually recognized Jesus, because we too can often have difficulty coming to recognize Jesus in our lives.

It is necessary to try to recognize Christ, if we want to follow Him.

The clue John the Baptist gives us for recognizing Jesus is this....

John recognized Jesus because he experienced His Holy Spirit.

Whenever or wherever we experience the Spirit of love, peace, joy, kindness, truth, etc., there Christ is present in a spiritual way.

IMAGE: “Aroma of the Spirit”

Where there’s love, peace, joy, kindness, justice, truth - sign of Holy Spirit.

Where there’s hatred, disunity, evil, discouragement - sign of evil spirit.

We should be able to recognize both Holy Spirit and evil spirit within us.

There is a continual struggle and internal battle between these opposing forces.  Recognizing them allows us to make wise choices in following them.

EXAMEN of CONSCIOUSNESS

The “Examen of Consciousness” is a very traditional method of prayer.

It is a way of reviewing our day, with the light of Holy Spirit, so that we can see the presence of God with us continually and respond appropriately. 

It is a way of looking at ourselves and our lives through the loving eyes of God.

St. Ignatius considered this “Prayer of Examen” the most important prayer, next to the Eucharist.  It helped him to find God at all times and in all things.

Someone called this ancient method of prayer “Rummaging for God.” 

The Examen is like rummaging through a drawer full of stuff, feeling about, and looking for something that we know must be there somewhere.  And so we need to seek the Lord, knowing that the Lord is always present with us.

Someone likened the examen to watching an “instant replay” of our day.

Imagine giving the Holy Spirit the (remote) control of our mind to review the important events and interior movements of our day, and allowing the Spirit to pause, zoom in, and focus on whatever we need to see about ourselves.

To make an Examen of Consciousness, special attention should be given not only to the events of the day, but to our feelings throughout the day.

Feelings are neutral, neither right or wrong; but all feelings are informative.

Paying attention to our feelings, and praying with them, can be very helpful.

Not paying attention to our feelings, they can dominate and/or manipulate us; but listening to our feelings, they can help us to listen to the Spirit within us.

FEELINGS

If you don’t think about your feelings – it causes headaches.

If you swallow your feelings – it causes ulcers.

If you hold back your feelings – it causes back pain.

If you hold in your feelings – it causes heart problems.

If you sit on your feelings – it causes hemorrhoids.

3 R’s for EXAMEN of CONSCIOUSNESS

1) Request the help of the Holy Spirit.

       Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight to see yourself as God sees you.

       Ask the Holy Spirit for enlightenment and wisdom to truly learn and grow.

       The goal is not just remembering the day, but understanding yourself.

2) Review the day.

       Mentally walk through the day - activities, persons, places, tasks etc.        

       What happened today? More importantly, what happened within you?

       Be aware of any positive and/or negative feelings within you today.

       What is it about this day that now catches your attention most? Why? 

3) Respond to the Lord.

       Ask: Where is the Lord in all of this?  What is the Lord saying to me?

       How should I respond to the Lord?  What can I do now or tomorrow?

       Offer a prayer of adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, or supplication.