Liturgical Discuss

HOMILY FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (CYCLE A)
By
REV FR AKEMA JAMES TERNGU

Theme: “Behold the Lamb of God”

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, after the great celebrations of Christmas, Epiphany, and the Baptism of the Lord, the Church now leads us into Ordinary Time. This is not a time that is “ordinary” in the sense of being unimportant, but a season where the mystery of Christ is unfolded in the daily rhythm of our lives. Today’s readings present to us the identity and mission of Jesus and, by extension, our own identity and mission as his disciples.

At the heart of today’s Gospel (John 1:29–34) is the powerful testimony of John the Baptist: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” This is the first time Jesus is publicly identified in this way, and it is rich with meaning.

1. Behold the Lamb of God:
The title “Lamb of God” would have resonated deeply with John’s audience. It recalls the Passover lamb whose blood saved Israel from death in Egypt, and the sacrificial lamb offered daily in the Temple for the sins of the people. By calling Jesus the Lamb of God, John declares that Jesus is the definitive sacrifice. He is the one who does not merely cover sin, but takes away the sin of the world.
This reminds us that our salvation is not something we earn by our own efforts. It is a gift, flowing from the self-giving love of Christ. Every time we attend Mass and hear these same words before Communion “Behold the Lamb of God” we are invited to recognize anew who Jesus truly is and what he has done for us.

2. A Mission for the World:
The first reading from Isaiah (49:3, 5–6) expands this vision. The servant of the Lord is not sent only to Israel, but is made “a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Jesus fulfills this prophecy perfectly. His mission is universal; no one is excluded from God’s saving love.

But this mission does not end with Jesus alone. By baptism, we are incorporated into Christ and share in his mission. As Christians, we are called to be light in our families, workplaces, communities, and society. In a world often marked by darkness of violence, injustice, corruption, and despair; we are sent to reflect the light of Christ through lives of integrity, compassion, and hope.

3. Called Saints, Living in Unity:
In the second reading (1 Corinthians 1:1–3), Saint Paul reminds the Corinthians and us that we are “called to be holy.” Holiness is not reserved for a few extraordinary people; it is the vocation of every baptized person. To be holy means to belong to God and to allow our daily lives to be shaped by his grace.
Paul also emphasizes communion: we are called together with “all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Faith is personal, but never private. We belong to the Church, the Body of Christ, and our witness is strongest when we live in unity, charity, and mutual respect.

4. “Behold” — An Invitation to Faith
John the Baptist does not point to himself; he points to Jesus. “Behold” is more than a command to look, it is an invitation to believe, to trust, and to follow. Today, the Church echoes John’s words and asks each of us: Do we truly recognize Jesus as the Lamb of God in our lives? Do we allow him to take away our sins, our fears, and our self-centeredness?

Conclusion
Dear friends, today’s liturgy calls us to fix our eyes on Jesus the Lamb of God and to rediscover our identity as a people saved by his sacrifice and sent on mission. May we learn, like John the Baptist, to point others to Christ, not by loud words alone, but by lives that quietly and faithfully proclaim: “Behold the Lamb of God.”
Amen.

DAILY REFLECTION WITH FR AKEMA THURSDAY, 15TH JANUARY 2026

Today’s Scriptures remind us of two contrasting ways of relating to God.

In the first reading, Israel brings the Ark of the Covenant into battle hoping it will guarantee victory, but instead suffers a crushing defeat and the Ark is captured. Their mistake wasn’t trusting in God but in reducing God’s presence to a kind of talisman, something to be used for their own ends rather than a source of true conversion, obedience, and faithfulness.

In the Gospel, a l***r approaches Jesus with deep humility, saying, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Jesus is moved with compassion, touches him and heals him. This is a powerful sign of mercyand. Jesus then gives specific instructions: to show himself to the priest and to keep silent about the healing for the moment. But the man, joyful and grateful, goes and proclaims what happened, spreading the news.

REFLECTION:
The readings challenge us to examine the quality of our faith. Like ancient Israel, we can fall into a superficial faith that relies on religious objects, rites, or traditions as if they were guarantees of success or protection, without a corresponding conversion of heart. In contrast, the l***r models the right posture of faith: he approaches Jesus with humility and hope, trusting in God’s will and mercy. Yet even his response teaches something, our gratitude naturally overflows in joy and praise, even when it doesn’t follow the precise instructions we receive from the Lord.

May we learn to seek God not as a means to an end, but as the source of our life, approaching Him with trust and humility, and allowing His mercy to transform us deeply.