Word Made Flesh
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January 17, 2026We have entered into another season of our liturgical calendar, the Ordinary Time. It spans from the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord last Sunday to Tuesday, February 17, for the next day, February 18, is Ash Wednesday which signals the beginning of another liturgical season, that is, Lent.Ordinary Time leads us deeper into reflection about the “Word made Flesh,” the reality of the Emmanuel, God-with-us. This season invites us to dive more deeply into the reality of Jesus penetrating into our human history, transforming it to salvation history. It is a season for growth and maturity in our faith, guided by the ministry of teaching and healing of Jesus.Today, we turn our attention to John the Baptist announcing Jesus as the Lamb of God, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” John says, recognizing Jesus as someone sent from heaven, the Chosen One, the Son of God.John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God. In ancient Israel, lambs were used as sacrifices to atone for sin, which is the heart of their worship, and when John says Jesus is the Lamb of God, he is indicating that Jesus goes for a mission, that is, the sacrifice given by God to redeem the world. God’s plan is in Jesus for the redemption of humankind.In the First reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we hear the voice of God’s servant proclaiming not only the restoration of God’s people but who will also bring that light to the nations. “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob,” he declares, but this proclamation extends to the ends of the earth. It is underlining the universality of the mission and work of Christ, that redemption is meant for all.John the Baptist and the Prophet Isaiah both expressed the universality of God’s plan of salvation. Jesus fulfills this plan as the Lamb offered for sacrifice, no longer at the altar in the temple but at the cross in Calvary. He is the light that shines through the corners of the earth.We are called then, to be witnesses and testify to the world about this changing love of God in Jesus. Like John the Baptist pointing out to Jesus, we are invited to always point to Jesus, seeing and sharing the Lamb of God who brings hope and new life to all. And like the Prophet Isaiah, we are challenged to carry the light and bring the light to all.