I have seen and I am a witness

On this 2nd Sunday in Ordinary time year A, we reflect on how John the Baptist presents Jesus to the crowd and as a witness at the same time. In fact, in the gospel text, John the Baptist says, “I have seen, and I am a witness that he is the chosen one of God”. What are the two images used by John the Baptist to describe Jesus? How, why and in what capacity are we witnesses of Christ in our Christian life today? Finally, what does these liturgical readings for this Sunday teach us?

To begin with, we have just concluded Christmas season, in which we celebrated the incarnation, the word became flesh and dwelt among us. On this Sunday, we start a new liturgical season called Sundays in Ordinary time. These Sundays in ordinary time continues up to the beginning of Lenten season. But what is the importance of Ordinary time? It helps us to reflect, to deepen and to understand more the mysteries of Christ that we have just celebrated during Christmas season.

All in all, the 2nd Sundays in ordinary time of all the liturgical years A, B and C, we often read from the gospel according to Saint John. Therefore, on this 2nd Sunday in ordinary time year A, we reflect on John 1:29-34. In this gospel passage, we realise that

1. John’s text presents Jesus’ public ministry

2. The clear roles assigned to John the Baptist and to Jesus Christ.

After the prologue, John describes briefly Christ’s Baptism. In addition to that, John and Jesus had different distinct roles as spelled out in the gospel passage of today. What was the role of John, the Baptist? He had three important roles namely 1. To be a bridge between the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament. 2. To reveal or introduce the messiah and finally 3. To be a witness.

In this text, there are two images used by John the Baptist to introduce Jesus to the people. These two images are: Jesus as the Lamb of God and Jesus as the Servant of God. How did John, the Baptist reveal the messiah? It is during the meeting with him that John, the Baptist introduces the Messiah to the people by saying “Behold, there is a Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. From this very text, John presents a true personality of Jesus as the lamb of God as seen in Isaiah 53:7, the lamb that will be offered as a living sacrifice not only for Israel, but for the forgiveness of every human person who believes in him. On the other hand, Jesus as the lamb of God is the chosen one of God, the servant of God as described in the first reading of this 2nd Sunday in ordinary time year A.

How was John, the Baptist a witness? A story that I am going to tell you happened in one of the companies in Kenya but I will not mention its name here. A young man, very intelligent was called for an interview in that very company. Of course, he presented himself, passed the interview but at the end of the interview, one panellist asked him “Could you be a good ambassador for this company out there?” he answered, “of course yes”. Then one of the interviewers pulled out his telephone, opened the internet and showed him a tweet written by this very young man some years ago to blackmail the very company that he is seeking employment. The young man was shocked by this revelation. Was he a good witness? Let us get back to John, the Baptist, First, we can say that John the Baptist is a direct witness of Jesus because 1. When Mary and Elizabeth met, we are told that there was some movement during this blessed meeting 2. John the Baptist met Jesus and introduced him to the people as the Lamb of God and the servant of God. Therefore, this is enough evidence to show that John, the Baptist is a credible, authentic and reliable witness of Jesus as the messiah. Furthermore, at Baptism, he witnessed the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus inform of a Dove. Are we witnesses of Christ, or we are fans of Christ? Do we introduce Christ to others, or we leave Christ and introduce them to other things? Do we bear witness as a disciple of Christ in our families, do we bear witness in our places of work and do we bear witness in our parishes today?

During this 2nd Sunday in ordinary time year A, what messages do we get from these Sunday liturgical readings?

1. John the Baptist and Jesus Christ had different roles but complimentary ones. Let us collaborate, compliment and co-exist in peace.

2. Let us be witnesses of Christ wherever we find ourselves.

3. Let us be ambassadors of the gospel values such that we can introduce others to Christ.

To conclude, on this 2nd Sunday in Ordinary time Year A, we are called be witnesses of Christ just like John, the Baptist. Jesus is the Lamb of God and the servant of God at the same time. As servants of God, we undergo sufferings just like Jesus, the Lamb of God but we are called to remain faithful to God’s call. May our words and actions bear true witnesses in our Christian life. AMEN.

                                                                                                                                                         HAVE A BLESSED SUNDAY!!!!!

Fr. Fred Wekesa

Fred Wekesa is an Augustinian catholic priest from St. Rita Vicariate in kenya. He is an Author of several books such as "Augustinian Friendship" and "L'Amitié Augustinienne". He is a counselling Psychologist with a Master's degree in counselling psychology from Mount Kenya Unversity. Currently, He is a Doctoral student in COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY at Mount Kenya University. He is a Rector of Saint Augustine Basilica, Annaba, Algeria.