ISAIAH 49: 3, 5-6
PSALM 39: 2, 4, 7-10
1 CORINTHIANS 1: 1-3
JOHN 1: 29-34
Amidst the tragedies of bush fires and cyclones and floods we always hear of many heroic stories of saving lives and neighbour helping neighbour. It is a great witness of the human spirit and the goodness that is within us. And whilst it can seem so dark, people will rise again if they know that they are supported with love in this time of trial.
Where love prevails, darkness is overcome.
In the same way Jesus comes to save us from a darkness that engulfs us. For there is one challenge in life that we all struggle with is the challenge that is sin. Sin is like the bush fires and cyclones, can becomes too strong for us to overcome as it destroys us.
In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist gives witness to the Lamb of God who comes to help us through this tragedy in life. God does not leave us to ourselves but sends His Son, Jesus that we may rise from our struggle against our sinfulness. The prophet Isaiah in the first reading speaks about Jesus who comes to save the world.
For without Christ, sin would drag us down in despair.
Jesus, the Lamb of God recalls the sacrifice of the lamb at the Passover when the Jews were slaves in Egypt, and unable to save themselves. It is God who freed them from slavery. The sacrifice of lambs then became a sin offering restoring the people’s relationship with God.
Jesus is the new lamb, the perfect Lamb of God who frees us from the slavery of sin.
John the Baptist and St Paul are encouraging the people to follow Christ that we may be saved. Unfortunately, whenever disasters are approaching, some people would ignore the warnings given. Likewise, some people feel they do not need the God’s salvation.
With the cyclones and fire, we can see the danger coming. With sin, we often do not recognize it and can be so easily be misled because it is pride or our emotions that controls us.
For instance we can be persuaded by our friends who might live a lifestyle that is contrary to God’s law;
Or when we are controlled by our emotions: how often people do things in their anger only to regret it later.
Or when we are led by our hatred and prejudices to inflict injury either by word or deed on others.
Sin is deadly and destructive for it destroys our very soul. God comes not only to take away our sins but to lead us to the way of life and love.
Today as we begin the year, let us ask ourselves how do we respond to God’s gift of salvation? Do we listen to the Word that guides us or do we choose to go our own way.
Do we keep God close to our hearts through prayer or do we wonder far from Him. Do we reach out to the hand of God which offers forgiveness or do we feel we have no need of forgiveness and mercy pushing His hand away?
As we begin our year, then let us choose for God and seek His way. Let us seek His presence for that is the best way to preserve ourselves from sin.
Merredin Catholic Parish 