2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isa 49:3,5-6
1 Cor 1:1-3
Jn 1:29-34
“Look, there is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
John sees Jesus coming towards him and uses the phrase “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” for the first time. This concept would have been earth shattering to a Jew. The concept of an animal absorbing sin in place of man was quite familiar to the Jews. John’s statement now introduces the concept of God being the sacrifice for the sin of the entire world — not just for the Jewish nation.
This is utterly unthinkable and incredibly shocking on two accounts: That instead of a lamb for sacrifice, it would be God Himself and that the sacrifice would atone for all of mankind, not just for the Jews. This would have been earth shattering and probably offensive to the Jews.
John, being the son of Zechariah, a priest, would have been familiar with the Jewish sacrificial system. Daily, in the morning and evening, a lamb was sacrificed at the temple to atone for the sins of the people.
The reality that God Himself, Jesus in the flesh, would willingly come down to earth to die for our sins, is a sobering fact. Is this something that we realize when we are in the midst of temptation or even sin itself?
Sin is obviously serious to a holy God. Payment in reparation of the sin is death! We do not always remember this — but every sin committed against another person, is really committed against God.
Jesus fulfils the Old Testament prophecies of sacrificial lambs, becoming the perfect, spotless offering for humanity’s sin. He is God’s solution, not a human effort; God steps in to fix what we couldn’t. He doesn’t just forgive; He uproots sin, offering a new heart and breaking the cycle of sin.
The Agnus Dei, or ‘Lamb of God’, is a central and profound part of the Mass, primarily occurring just before Holy Communion. Its relevance lies in acknowledging Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, preparing the faithful to receive the Eucharist, and invoking themes of mercy and peace.
It is recited or sung during the Fraction Rite, when the priest breaks the large host (the Body of Christ). This physical action symbolizes the breaking of Christ’s body for the salvation of the world. The prayer invites the congregation to a moment of humility, awe and trust, helping to prepare their hearts and minds to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. It is an act of adoration offered to the Lord present in the sacrament.
It’s a prayer proper to the Eucharistic celebration – the mass. The absence of the Agnus Dei, during Good Friday and Holy Saturday; emphasize that that these days are distinct from a typical mass – sorrowful and later, expectant waiting before the great joy of Easter.
I spent many years of my childhood and teenage years as an altar boy. I loved wearing my cassock and serving mass. I loved drinking up the remainder of the Blood of Christ, if there was still a fair bit in the chalice. I was the 1st to start eating the hot cross buns after the Easter Vigil, even before they were blessed and distributed to the congregation.
But I actually knew very little about the significance of many of the aspects of the mass. I learnt a bit more as a lector, but I learnt a lot more about the various references made in the Scriptures, the significance of certain parts of the mass and now, about the significance of the Agnus Dei; as I write for Oxygen.
Other than knowing that I had to bow my head in reverence during the 2 points when the sacred Body and Blood were elevated, the rest of the Holy Mass usually had me quite spaced out. A good homily would catch my attention, but little else.
I am blessed to be given an opportunity to contribute from time to time towards Oxygen. It allows me to research and better understand the scriptures and the mass, as a celebration.
I am sure my parents worked at educating me about the Catholic faith, the mass and the Catechism of the Catholic Church; but I think a lot of that was wasted on me in my earlier years, as I was just not ready to apply what was being taught.
(I remember listening to the story of Noah in catechism class, and while the other children were in awe of the pairs of animals saved, my question was “Didn’t God need to save the fish?”…leaving my catechism teacher speechless).
I pray my 2 children will listen attentively as I share what I now learn from my research and writings. I pray they pay attention and understand the significance of the different aspects of the mass and the relevance they play.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Gerard Francis)
Prayer: Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis — Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Thanksgiving: Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem — Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
OXYGEN 
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