Homily: 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) - "Behold the Lamb of God"

Last week, as we celebrated the Feast of the Lord’s Baptism, we heard St. Mark’s account of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist.  This week, we heard of another encounter between Jesus and John.  There was John, presumably still down in the area around the Jordan river, and seeing Jesus walk by, and utters words that continue to echo throughout the centuries, “Behold the Lamb of God”.

In the original greek of John’s Gospel, “Ide o amnos tu theu.” The ‘amnos’—was a very special type of lamb, one that would be used in a sacrificial offering.  John is telling his disciples that Jesus is the lamb who will be sacrificed for the sins of the world.  Yet, conscious of the future violent act against him, John’s disciples went and followed Jesus.

Those words are repeated at every Mass, now, in every language around the world.  In Latin, “Ecce Agnus Dei.”  In Italian ‘Ecco l’Agnello di Dio”.  In Spanish, “Este es el Cordero de Dios”.  As the priest holds up the consecrated elements, “Behold the Lamb of God”. Blessed are those called to the Supper of the Lamb.

As Catholics we believe that when we celebrate the Eucharist, Jesus is really present—bread and wine are really transformed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.  So when the priest is holding up the Consecrated Host and Chalice and says “Behold the Lamb of God”, in a way he’s saying, “look, here he is.  He is just as present here to us, now, as he was when as he walked along the Jordan River.” 

Moreso, I don’t just say, Look here he is, I say, “Behold”.  The word behold carries much more weight.  To “behold” something means to thoroughly take in what you are seeing.  To Behold Jesus, is to take him in to the depths of your soul.  Let him change you, let him teach you.  Allow him to free you from "immoralities of the flesh" as St. Paul calls them in our second reading, your addictions, your selfishness, your impurity.  Fall down and worship, for here is something worthy of centering your life upon. 

To our eyes, the Eucharist looks like bread and wine, but to our faith, we see beyond the appearance into the depths.

Saint Pope John Paul II said, "The church and the world have a great need of Eucharistic worship. Jesus waits for us in this sacrament of love. Let us be generous with our time in going to meet Him in adoration."

Don’t just look at the Eucharist, behold Him, adore Him, contemplate Him, drink from him as the fountain of eternal life.

A few years ago, I came across a very interesting video on the internet titled “Eucharistic Flash Mob”.  The video begins and you are staring at this fairly busy city side walk.  There are people walking in and out of stores, folks talking on their cell phones, babies being pushed in their strollers, hundreds of people are walking down this sidewalk. Then all of a sudden this Capuchin Fransican Monk, in his brown robe, shaved head, and full beard, walks onto the scene and sets this bag down on the ground.  And to see a monk on the streets is strange enough and it draws some people’s attention.  But then, he reaches down into the bag and pulls out a stole, he kisses the stole, and puts it around his neck.  And, out of the bag, he takes a monstrance, with the Blessed Sacrament, the Eucharist in it.  And he holds it up, and just begins to adore the Blessed Sacrament. 

Then, another monk, carrying a portable microphone begins to say to the crowds, “Jesus Christ is in every book of the Bible.  In Genesis Jesus is...“The Seed of the Woman”.  In Exodus He is…“The Passover Lamb”.  In Leviticus He is… “The Priest, the Altar & the Sacrifice”.  In Numbers He is…“The Pillar of Cloud by Day and the Pillar of Fire by Night”.  In Deuteronomy Jesus is…“The Prophet Like Moses”.  Come and kneel before Him now.

And the monk holding the blessed Sacrament is standing in the middle of this circle on the sidewalk.  And people start to make a clearing around him, and a few people kneel, right there on the sidewalk. 

And the monk with the microphone continues:

In Joshua Jesus is…“The Captain of Our Salvation”.  In Judges He is…“Our Judge and Lawgiver”. In Ruth He is…“Our Kinsman-Redeemer“.  In I & II Samuel He is…“Our Trusted Prophet” In Kings & Chronicles He is…“Our Reigning King” In Ezra He is… “The Rebuilder of the Broken-Down Walls of Human Life”.  Come and kneel before Him now

By this time there are at least fifteen people young & old kneeling down in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  And the camera pans to others on the street.  You can see some people had never seen a monstrance before say, “what is he doing, what is going on”.  A group of kids ask their parents what is going on.  Some people deliberately walk through the space where the monk is standing.  There are some that don’t kneel, but stick around, interested, questioning.  Some people hurry by, as if they didn’t want to catch germs.  You can see in their eyes, they are making a conscious attempt, to get away from the Eucharist. 

And the monk on the microphone continues through the books of the bible, the books of the Old Testament and then the books of the new: In Matthew Jesus is…“God with us” In Mark He is… “The Son of God”. In Luke He is…“The Son of Mary – feeling what you feel”.  In John He is…“The Bread of Life”.  In Acts Jesus is…“The Saviour of the world”.

He was bruised and brought healing,

He was pierced and eased pain,

He was persecuted and brought freedom,

He was dead and brought life,

He is risen and brings power,

He reigns and brings peace.

The world can’t understand him;

the armies can’t defeat him;

schools can’t explain him;

and the leaders can’t ignore him.

Herod couldn’t kill him;

the Pharisees couldn’t confuse him;

the people couldn’t hold him;

Nero couldn’t crush him;

Hitler couldn’t silence him;

the new age can’t replace him;

and Oprah can’t explain him away!

By now, there are dozens of people kneeling in adoration, and applauding and cheering, and onlookers extremely confused. 

He is my redeemer.

He is my saviour.

He is my God.

He is my Priest.

He is my Joy.

He is my Comfort.

He is my Lord

and He rules my life.

The monk with the monstrance gave benediction, signing the crowd with the Eucharist, and the crowd began to disperse. The monk put the Blessed Sacrament safely in his bag, took off his stole, and walked away. 

Behold the Lamb of God.  John points to Jesus for us, that we can point Him out for others.  But in order to do that we must behold him.  Put him at the center of your life, let him change you, let him teach you…for the glory of God and salvation of souls.