“Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” – John 1:29
I greatly admire how St. John the Baptist recognized Jesus immediately upon encountering Him. Even when John was a babe in the womb he recognized the presence of Christ in Mary’s womb and responded boldly with joy. Elizabeth (John’s mother) proclaimed to Mary: “For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy” (Luke 1:44). Again in this Sunday’s Gospel reading, 30 years later, John the Baptist recognized Jesus and responded boldly, proclaiming, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
Upon recognizing and proclaiming Jesus, John immediately claimed a position of humility in relation to Jesus: “He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me'” (John 1:30). Then John recognized his own mission in relation to Jesus: “…the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel” (John 1:31). Finally, John witnessed to Jesus’s identity: “Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God” (John 1:34).
John is a wonderful example of how we can understand our mission in relationship to Jesus. Our collective mission as the Church is to be the face of God’s love to people. The Church is “sent by Christ to reveal and to communicate the love of God to all men and nations” (Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church Ad Gentes, 10.) All mission begins with an encounter with Christ, our recognition of His presence, and a desire to make His love known to another person. We humbly recognize that Jesus has the main mission, and we only aid this larger mission. Like John, we can testify to Jesus by proclaiming who He is to us, making Him known through our words and actions of love for others.
Jesus, how I long that all people could experience Your love and mercy as I have. Help me to be your humble instrument so that I might proclaim Your love each day of my life.