Weekly Readings

Editor’s Note: Fr. Peter shares insights from a variety of voices on the Sunday readings.

Behold the Lamb of God!

Of the many names Scripture provides to help us ponder the mystery of Jesus, one of the most intriguing is the name that John the Baptist offers at the opening of today’s gospel: “Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:29).

Scripture scholars debate what John means here. Is he alluding to the Passover lamb — that unblemished lamb whose blood the enslaved Israelites were to post over their doorways? The angel of death knew to “pass over” these homes. Perhaps John was saying that by Jesus’ blood, the people would be freed from death.

Or was John thinking about the guilt offerings mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures when priests offered animal sacrifices to God as a way of seeking the removal of their sins? Leviticus mentions use of a scapegoat who would carry the sins of the people away into the desert. (See Leviticus 20–28.) Could John have understood that Jesus would bear the sins of the world?

Or did John have in mind the great constellation Aries, the ram, considered the prince of the stars of the sky, the center from whom all the other constellations were mapped in ancient times? Perhaps John was pointing out that Jesus was the center around whom heaven and earth revolve, like the ruling lamb mentioned in the Book of Revelation.

Today at Mass, when the host is elevated and you hear John’s words again — “Behold the Lamb of God!” — take a moment to savor these words anew.

~ Ann M. Garridok

Reflect

Which understanding of the “Lamb of God” resonates with me?

Authors

MIGUEL DULICK: Michael Dulick earned post-graduate degrees in English, Spanish, and Philosophy, as well as a Master of Divinity. During his studies, he discovered Honduras, where he has lived since 2003 as “Hermano Miguel,” to live and pray with the poor in the village of Las Vegas. His donation-supported work is to keep families together rather than risking their lives to migrate to the United States. In 2007, Miguel adopted Anselmo, a 13-year-old orphan, so he could sign the forms that allowed Anselmo to receive life-saving open-heart surgery. And now he is Abuelo Miguel with a granddaughter, three-year-old Alicia!

ANN M. GARRIDO: Ann Garrido is the oldest of eight siblings in a large Catholic family from St. Louis, Missouri.  Her childhood dream of sharing the faith as a teacher and preacher has taken her to all 50 states and 20 countries. Ann is Associate Professor of Homiletics at Aquinas Institute of Theology and a longtime formation leader in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd movement. She currently lives in Georgia with Mike, her husband of more than thirty years. For more on Ann and her writing, see anngarrido.com.

 
FR. BYRON MILLER, CSsR: Fr. Byron Miller, CSsR, was director of the National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos in New Orleans from 2000 to 2015, before serving as president and publisher of Liguori Publications until 2023. In 2021, he authored Daybreaks: Daily Reflections for Lent and Easter for pilgrims on the perennial Lenten journey to Easter.

 
FR. THOMAS M. SANTA, CSsR: Fr. Thomas M. Santa, CSsR, a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was professed as a Redemptorist in 1973 and ordained a priest in June of 1978. He is a graduate of Holy Redeemer College (Waterford, Wisconsin) and the State University of New York (Mount Saint Alphonsus). His work has included teaching theology, directing retreats, Scrupulous Anonymous ministry, and he is the author of numerous books and articles. Fr. Santa is currently serving his second assignment as the President/Publisher of Liguori Publications.