HOMILY FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B (5)

HOMILY FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: THE LAMB OF GOD

BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon

HOMILY:

(Jn. 1:35-42)
In the day’s Gospel John introduced Jesus as the Lamb of God. The lamb played a significant role in the life and faith of the Jews. Aside from being a very useful livestock, it was always use as an offering during religious rituals. Lamb was offered during the Passover, the day when the angel of death exempted families who followed God’s instruction through Moses. Lamb was offered and slaughtered in the temple as part of Jewish ritual offering.

Today, animals are used as mascots and emblems by organizations, institutions, and athletic teams. They do it for the purpose of inspiring their members and to set a certain standard set, usually, by the characteristics of the chosen animal. Thus, we have the Ateneo Blue Eagles, San Sebastian Stags, Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors, Denver Broncos, Florida Marlins, etc. In the Old testament, the tribe of Joseph adopted the Wild Ox while the tribe of Benjamin had the Wolf. But the choice of God was interesting. The Lamb was not known for its strength, fierceness, agility, and power, and other traits which represents dominance and greatness. The Lamb was known as a pure and gentle animal. It is harmless and obedient. God’s ways are really not our ways. The choice gives a very strong message.

The Letter to the Hebrews provide an answer when it describes Jesus, the Lamb of God, as holy, harmless, and undefiled. Jesus, the Messiah, is God. He was sent by the Father. Even when He became one with us, He was without sin. He taught and lived what He preached. People around Him felt, saw, and even smelled His aura and aroma of holiness.

Jesus, like a lamb, was harmless. He loved His enemies. He did not retaliate against those who reviled Him. Silence was His response to all the curses, defamations, rejections, and every kind of tirade against Him. He preferred to be scourged, carry the cross, nailed on it, and die uttering forgiveness to everyone who brought Him violence and death. Meek as a lamb, He accepted His death with no harm to anyone.

Jesus like a lamb, was pure and undefiled. Even in His humanity, He witnessed to the divine. It was a strong message that humanity was not an excuse for sin. He preserved His purity both in His divinity and humanity. Surrounded by sin, weakness, and limitations, He did not give in. The devil failed miserably in defiling Him. Jesus remained unblemished.

The priest, before communion says, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” It means, Jesus, the perfect offering by God, like a lamb, suffered and died for our sins. But more than the lamb, He resurrected showed us our true destiny.

Salvation is not about brute force, deafening growl, superb agility, annihilation of the enemy, or instilling great fear. It is about willingness to make sacrifices, obedience to God, forgiveness, and holiness. Jesus, the Lamb of God, saved us in the best way, God’s way.