Lamb of God – lectiodiv.com

“Not as man sees does God see.” | Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 2:23-28)

He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?” Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

The Pharisees see the disciples of Jesus making a path through a field of grain as they pluck the heads of grain, eating them. The Pharisees say to Jesus: “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” In replying to them, Jesus mentions bread, the daily bread that sustains and nourishes the human body. But in relating the story about David sharing the consecrated bread of offering with his companions, he alludes to bread broken and shared, to bread that prepares us for eternal life, to the Eucharistic banquet he would institute at the Last Supper. In addressing the rigidity of unlawful actions done on the sabbath, Jesus reclaims its purpose through his divine authority as the Son of God: “That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

God, help me see as you see, beyond appearances and superficial understanding. The things of this world provide limited access to what is really true. In your words spoken to Samuel: “Not as man sees does God see, because he sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.” You do not judge by appearances, Lord, but know me because you know my heart. For the sake of your people, you made the sabbath not as a means to restrict needs but to provide for spiritual and physical well-being. In work and relaxation, help me recall the words of Jesus throughout the day: “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.” Give us this day our daily bread.

From the Gospel acclamation: “May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Then they will fast on that day.” | Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 2:18-22)

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to Jesus and objected, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.

Jesus goes on to compare his time on earth as the bridegroom, present among the disciples, with other examples. He compares his teachings to new cloth sewn onto old clothing and new wine poured into old wineskins. The new cloth will shrink and tear an old garment, and new wine will burst old wineskins. Instead, Jesus says, new cloth should be sewn onto new garments, and new wine should be poured into new wineskins. Jesus brings about a newness through his presence and teachings that requires a change of customs and practices. He calls people to step away from adherence to brittle old religious practices and into supple, heartfelt praise that gives God due glory.

God, in this new year, help me recognize the areas within me that are brittle and serve no genuine purpose. Give me the grace to understand that fear overcome frees me to find you anew in desiring to remain in your word, wherever that leads. Every day, new obstacles to long-term goals emerge that seem to be insurmountable. They seem at times to eclipse you. Help me see beyond that—that the earthly goal is subject to your will. In obedience to your will, help me see past obstacles and go straight to you, to listen to your word and give you praise. You are God and I am not—all glory to you, Lord.

From the Gospel acclamation: “The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Where are you staying?” | Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 1:35-42)

^{“Behold the Lamb of God” flickr photo by Lawrence OP https://flickr.com/photos/paullew/39681315841 shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-ND) license}

John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi”— which translated means Teacher —, “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.”

Jesus asks the two disciples of John what they are looking for. In looking for the Messiah, they find Jesus. In finding Jesus, they ask an unusual question: “Where are you staying?” Jesus invites them to come with him. Andrew and another disciple spend the day with Jesus. Filled with excitement, Andrew goes to find his brother Simon and tell him that they have found the Messiah. The passage begins when John the Baptist watches Jesus walk by and says, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” In looking out for the Messiah, the disciples are prepared to understand the meaning of Jesus’ question and respond with their own question. The answer, they come to learn, is that the Lamb of God is the Son who comes down from heaven but stays with his Father.

God, help me understand the connection between Jesus, Lamb of God, and Saint Paul’s preaching that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Jesus came as the sacrificial lamb and knew death of the body for the sake of all people. In rising, he made possible baptism in the Holy Sprit, in which we die to self and rise to new life in Christ. Paul makes clear that we have been purchased at a price so that we may be a temple of the Holy Spirit and that we are not our own. “The body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body; God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power,” Paul says. Lord, you offer us the same resurrection as Jesus your Son. In one spirit with you, the body given up is saved for eternal life. “Therefore, glorify God in your body.”

From the responsorial psalm: “I have waited, waited for the LORD, and he stooped toward me and heard my cry. And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.