John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1, 29-34
Today’s gospel-reading follows an account of how a group of priests and Levites had been commissioned by the Jewish leaders to approach John the Baptist and put to him the question: “Who are you?” John started by stating that he was not the Christ, not Elijah and not the Prophet. However, when his interrogators insisted on taking back an answer to their masters, the Baptist responded by identifying himself as one predicted by the prophet Isaiah: “A voice that cries in the wilderness: ‘Make a straight path for the Lord’’” (Isaiah 40:3). Pressing him further, the emissaries asked the Baptist to explain why he was baptising the people who had been flocking to him. Today’s gospel-reading follows the Baptist’s further explanation and then proceeds to tell how he subsequently identified Jesus as the “lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1: 29).
I suggest that, for us to shift from the role of observers of today’s gospel-reading to that of participants, we may need to start by answering for ourselves the question directed to us: “Who are you?” That’s a question that I don’t answer easily in the space of one short sentence. But it’s a question that each of us has to answer eventually. It’s not as simple as stating my name and occupation.
Today’s other readings give us some hints for answering the question. Isaiah, for example, offers in today’s first reading a description of one who is “a servant of God”. But it’s not exactly clear whether that “servant” is the nation of Israel, the Messiah still to come or Isaiah himself. However, most Biblical scholars seem to agree that Isaiah’s suffering servant is identified as Jesus, the Messiah.
We can look closely at the life of Jesus as it is described in the Gospels and come to appreciate how he struggled with what he saw as his vocation to grow into being God’s servant. Remember, for instance, how he struggled with the temptations that came to him in the wilderness (Matthew 4: 1-11; Mark 1: 12-13; Luke 4: 1-13). We can also reflect on how and when Jesus came to see his crucifixion as his moment of glory (John 17: 3-25); moreover Psalm 22 gives a detailed description of Jesus’ crucifixion and his reliance on God.. If I see my vocation as being invited to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, what kind of appetite do I have for the kind of glory Jesus discovered was his? To what extent do I really rely on God as I go about living as a faithful Christian? How do I express that reliance?
Today’s second reading from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians gives us another hint as to how we might answer the question : ”Who are you?”. Paul begins by boldly describing himself with the title attributed till then only to the Eleven. Paul states: “I, Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle…send greetings to the holy people of Jesus Christ, who are called to take their place among all the saints everywhere who pray to the Lord Jesus Christ; for he is their Lord no less than ours” (1 Corinthians 1: 1-2). How does that description of Paul himself and the members of the Christian community of Corinth fit you and me? Moreover, if we dare to pray today’s responsorial psalm which echoes the words of Isaiah’s response to God who was looking for a volunteer messenger: “Here I am, Lord, send me”, how would we measure up? Do I ever see my vocation in life as a volunteer intent on bringing to reality God’s dream for our world as it was articulated in the life of Jesus?
In today’s gospel-reading, which focuses on both John the Baptist and Jesus, the Baptist emerged from the desert wilderness and belonged to the tradition of Israel’s prophets who were endowed with wisdom. His description of Jesus as “the lamb of God” ran counter to the prevailing expectations for a Messiah who would rout the Romans and restore the nation of Israel to a position of power and prestige. His metaphor of a lamb suggests that peacefulness, meekness and gentleness are essential qualities for addressing the restoration of a world in need. It’s qualities like that which will rid the world of its sin and brokenness. They are the characteristics of Jesus and his mission to the world. In describing his own experience of what occurred after he had reluctantly agreed to baptise Jesus in the Jordan, John the Baptist said: ”I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him.” It was as though God’s Spirit was intent on nestling in Jesus. John proceeded to add that he had been inspired by God to proclaim who Jesus was.
When we look at how we might fit into today’s gospel reading, there is a link between the Baptist’s commission from God and our role as members of the Christian community. Both we and John the Baptist have and had the same responsibility: to point out to our world the Lamb of God. How might we do that in action rather than in word?