Second Sunday in Ordinary Time ‘A’

We’re now entering Ordinary Time - the longest season in the Church’s calendar. While  seasons like Christmas and Easter focus on special celebrations, Advent and Lent encourage  us to prepare and reflect, Ordinary Time is about living out our daily lives of faith. During these  weeks, we focus on Jesus’ everyday ministry: His teaching, stories, and the challenges and joys  He faced, much like we do in our own daily lives. 

This Sunday’s readings focus on a central challenge for us as followers of Jesus: to live and, if  needed, to sacrifice like the “Lamb of God.” 

In both the First and Second Readings, God calls specific people to serve Him and entrusts  them with a mission. Isaiah’s “Suffering Servant” points ahead to Jesus’ own life and purpose. Paul reminds the community in Corinth—and us—that we are called to be holy as those who  belong to Jesus. 

The Gospel gives us three key themes: 

• John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus, 

• the revelation of Jesus as the “Lamb of God,” 

• and the invitation to become disciples. 

Just like the first disciples, we are called to discover Jesus’ identity gradually, as we respond to  His invitation and grow in relationship with Him. John challenges us to accept this as a personal  and communal call to bear witness to Jesus in our lives. 

What does it mean to “live like the Lamb of God”? It means striving to be pure, humble, selfless,  and loving, following Jesus’ example in His everyday life and relationships. It means relying on  God’s care and trusting that He guides and protects us. It also involves nourishing our spiritual  lives through the sacraments, prayer, and participation in the Church community. 

And what does it mean to “die like the Lamb of God”? Not necessarily a physical death, but  rather choosing to give of ourselves for the sake of others. It means sharing what we have: our  time, talents, and resources with our families, parishes, and communities. It’s about finding  meaning in our suffering, offering our struggles to God and joining them to Christ’s sacrifice for  the healing and reconciliation of the world. 

Our Christian mission is to help rebuild what is broken. We do this by responding actively to  God’s call, helping restore hope and healing to those who are hurting, and pointing them to  God’s love and justice - shown perfectly in Jesus, the Lamb of God. 

Ultimately, being a disciple and witness to Jesus is not just a private thing. It’s an active,  ongoing journey. Being a witness means honestly sharing what we have experienced and  inviting others to see and know Christ for themselves.

We often eagerly share recommendations about restaurants or services with our friends. Why  aren’t we as excited to share our experience of faith and invite others into the life of our Church?  If we hesitate to invite others to “come and see,” it might be time to reflect: How meaningful are  our experiences with Christ and our Church? Let us renew our enthusiasm, invite, and welcome  others, sharing with them the hope and joy we have found.