Ordinary 2

The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 49: 3, 5-6; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-34

Have you ever had to testify in court? John the Baptist did. The Fourth Gospel by the evangelist John can be understood as one trial scene from beginning to end. It starts with the questioning of John by priests and Levites, “Who are you?” and concludes with Pilate’s question to Jesus “What is truth?”

John the Baptist is the first of a series of witnesses. The Gospel of John makes it clear that was his life’s purpose. “A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light.” [John 1:6] Beyond quoting the prophet Isaiah, “I am the voice of one crying in the desert…” John never identifies himself. He states who he is not. He is not the Messiah, the prophet Elijah or Moses. When he does speak it is to give testimony about Jesus.

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.I saw the Spirit come down like a dove and remain upon him.Now I have testified that he, [Jesus] is the Son of God.” [See John 1:19-37]

What does it mean to give testimony, to bear witness?

I am reminded of the women of Canterbury in the opening lines of Eliot’s verse-play, “Murder in the Cathedral.” The women are forced to look and call attention to the unbearable scenes and murder of the Archbishop. The servant in Isaiah is called to shed light for the nations so as to find God’s salvation.

Bearing witness, speaking truth, calling attention for others to see is what it means to give testimony and it has its costs. There is good reason why our government established the Witness Protection Program. The Liturgy proclaims that John the Baptist’s supreme witness was the shedding of his blood. The Isaian servant is reviled, tortured and buried with evildoers, forgotten.

While as Christians we are to embody the presence of Christ in the world, as Saint Teresa of Avila wrote, “Christ has no body now on earth but yours…” might we also need to incorporate the witnessing of John the Baptist?

With the lies, conspiracy theories, political and personal maneuverings for power; the multiple and often contradictory voices of the media; the mistrust of our institutions and what masquerades as facts, Pilate’s final question is so appropriate, “What is truth?”  We are all searching for an answer.

Jesus taught us that truth is a person, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” [John 14:6] And isn’t that what witnesses are to do, tell the truth? And if truth is a person then we need to call attention to the presence of that person whenever we see Jesus Christ. That’s what John does, “Look! See! There is the presence of the Lamb of God!”  God is alive and God is in our midst. The Holy Spirit is at work in each of us and through us and for us and even in spite of us!

Attention is called to truth not only by words but by actions.

Consider that to awaken a child to faith and the discovery of God, the most important witness parents can give is to live out the Christian faith and traditions in the family and parish. Religious education programs are an adjunct to family life. They will never replace lived example. How can a person forgive another person or show them respect if they themselves have never experienced forgiveness or been shown respect? Lived example is the most powerful form of witness and the most effective way of forming a person into a follower of Jesus Christ.  

I have to wonder after the Dobbs Supreme Court decision where we could have been in regard to abortion in the lives of many people if more time, energy, money and effort was offered walking with women not just through their pregnancy but for years after assisting in raising and educating their child. Though legal routes have their advantages what witness would lived example by Christians have been given to a pluralistic society? Might lived example have morally formed more people in the values of respecting life?

The work of the Catholic Church through Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Near East Welfare Association, Caritas Internationalis and other agencies embody by example the core values of solidarity with the poor, vulnerable and dispossessed of the world. Despite the divisions and scandals in the Church, our example and embodiment to the care and compassion of Jesus is still given by committed Christians.

Where is the presence of Lamb of God to be seen on the playground, at work, in the supermarket and neighborhood? John the Baptist invites us to witness. Like the women of Canterbury we are not only compelled to see the presence of Christ in the world but are called to bring that presence to the attention of other people.

As a Christian, how do you witness to Jesus Christ?

By what words and example do you cry out: “Behold, the Lamb of God.”