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Message from the desk of the Pastor:

THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Gospel Reading 

John 1:29-34

John testifies that Jesus is the Lamb of God, God’s own Son.

Background on the Gospel Reading

This Sunday we break from our reading of Matthew’s Gospel (the primary Gospel    for our current liturgical cycle, Cycle A) to read from John’s Gospel. We heard Matthew’s account of Jesus’ baptism last Sunday, on the feast of the Baptism            of the Lord. Today, we hear John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus as found in    John’s Gospel. John’s Gospel differs from the other Gospels because John does      not describe Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist. Instead, John the Baptist announces that he knows that Jesus is the Son of God.

In today’s reading, John the Baptist sees Jesus approaching and cries out, giving witness about who Jesus is. In John’s testimony he says that he saw the Spirit descend upon Jesus. By this sign, John the Baptist knew that Jesus was the one  who is to come after him.

John the Baptist uses two titles for Jesus that are familiar to us. John calls Jesus  the “Lamb of God” and the “Son of God.” By using these titles, John the Baptist identifies Jesus’ ultimate purpose: to redeem sinful humanity.

John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus clearly distinguishes John’s baptism from the Baptism that Jesus will inaugurate. John baptizes with water; Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit. John also puts his practice of baptism in the context of Jesus’ ministry. The purpose of John’s baptism was to make Jesus known to Israel.

John the Baptist’s sense of purpose is clearly identified in this reading: he baptized    in order to prepare for and make known the ministry of the One who was to follow. John’s witness is an excellent example of what it means to be a disciple. By our Baptism, we are called to make Jesus known to all the world by our words and by    the witness of our lives.

Family Connection

The ministry of John the Baptist prepared for and pointed to the ministry of Jesus.    In a similar way, our lives are to offer testimony to who we know Jesus to be for us and for the world. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. How does the witness of our lives give testimony to the reconciling presence of Christ?

As a family, identify as many titles for Jesus as possible, such as Lamb of God, Son of God, Prince of Peace, and so on. Talk together about what these different titles mean and what they tell you about Jesus. Then read together today’s Gospel, John 1:29-34.

Consider how John the Baptist gives testimony to who Jesus is. Talk about what people might come to know about Jesus by observing your family life. Pray together that your family life will show others that Jesus is the Son of God, the lamb who  takes away the sins of the world. Pray the Lord’s Prayer.