An encounter with the Lord empowers two disciples of John the Baptist to go out and invite other people to meet Jesus. As we draw closer to Christ may we eagerly reach out to those around us with the joy of the Good News.
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Tag Archives: Lamb of God
Daily Mass: Behold the Lamb of God! Catholic Inspiration
John the Baptist testifies that Jesus is the “Lamb of God.” These words proclaim the sacrifice of Christ’s life for our salvation; by his blood on the Cross he will redeem our souls from sin and death.
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School Mass: The Passover, Judas, and the Lamb of God. Catholic Inspiration
Speaking at Mass to the kids at Cathedral School, Fr. Andrew speaks about the Passover, Judas and the blood of Jesus…the Lamb of God.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of Holy Week
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Daily Mass: The Lamb of God. Catholic Inspiration
John the Baptist calls Jesus “the Lamb of God” and invites us to draw upon the significance of this title within the salvation story. May we call upon the Lord’s sacrifice for our sins, and see our brothers and sisters through the eyes of Christ’s saving grace.
Mass Readings – Christmas Weekday
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Daily Mass: The heritage of John the Baptist. Catholic Inspiration
In the Gospel today we learn about the priestly lineage of John the Baptist. John’s ministry – calling people to repentance and showing them the “Lamb of God” – fulfills the priestly role and sets the stage for the coming of the Messiah.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Daily Mass: Religion & Politics. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 5th Week of Lent
In the Gospel today the stage is set for the drama of the Lord’s Passion. The Sanhedrin is convened to figure out what to do about Jesus as his followers increase. The issue: if the crowds become a mob the Romans will come and take away their land and their nation. It’s a perfect storm of religion and politics, and at the center is one who is innocent: the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Christmas Season: Behold the Lamb of God. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Christmas Weekday (Jan. 3)
John the Baptist testifies that Jesus is the one who takes away our sins. As we renew our faith each day, may we seek Jesus above all else and commit our lives to his saving grace.
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2nd Sunday of the Year – The Lamb of God
Study: Reflect on a time when you sensed a gentle “tug” in your heart to act or speak. Did you heed the call or ignore it?
Pray: Gaze upon the Cross of Jesus Christ, and consider His sacrifice for you. Thank Him for his merciful love to die for your sins.
Serve: Is there a way that you can gently help another face their struggles?
I think of John the Baptist as one of those people who are exciting to listen to but just a little too intense. Being around the charismatic, passionate, tell-it-like-it-is prophet strikes me as standing by a bonfire: you want to draw near, but too close and you get scorched.
Yet this no nonsense desert preacher sees Jesus and directly states:
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
What a contrast! John is fiery, bold, direct, and edgy…and he proclaims that the one greater than he comes to be slaughtered – to take away our sins. Our salvation is not achieved through a fierce battle or assault on hell; it comes because God sent his Son to die in our place.
It’s this notion of slaughter that foreshadows the death and resurrection of Jesus. Lambs were sacrificed ritually in the ancient Jewish world. From the time of Passover when the Jews endured slavery in Egypt – where the blood of a lamb was sprinkled on the door posts as a sign of the angel of death – the image of a lamb powerfully expresses a path of salvation.
Furthermore, lambs are gentle, meek, and defenseless. For thousands of years they have been employed by humanity for food and wool. Lambs require protection, and without help they fall prey to predators.
So here we have John boldly state that the Christ who will save us comes:
- To die that our sins be taken away
- To be with us in a gentle, tender way
He comes for us. He will die on a cross in a horrible fashion – FOR US. Yet he will not force his message of love, forgiveness, and peace upon us – he will gently approach us and speak.
How is Jesus inviting us today? Do we sense in our hearts a “nudge” to live in a different way? Is there anything going on in our lives that gives us the opportunity to follow the Lamb of God?
He will tenderly call us. His invitation will be marked by forgiveness and love. Will we accept the one who comes to take away our sins? May John’s words inspire us to become His disciples.
