By Fr. Eric Asamoah
John 1:29-34
Welcome to Ordinary Time 2026. This is a split liturgical season so designated not because it is dull or boring in comparison with the Advent–Christmas seasons just completed or the Lent–Easter seasons to come. Ordinary Time allow us the space and time for the mystery of Christ, to unfold before us.
The first reading, Isaiah chapter 49 is attributed to Deutero-Isaiah (Second Isaiah), who wrote to comfort God’s people during their Babylonian captivity assuring them that God will meet all their needs.
Although the people of Israel have been released from captivity and are returning home, they are discouraged and uncertain about the future. Deutero-Isaiah presents himself as the Servant of God, called from the womb to speak God’s word and restore hope. Today’s Responsorial Psalm echoes that call perfectly: “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.”
John the Baptist also points the way to Christ saying, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John draws the attention of his followers to Jesus as the true Messiah by identifying him as ‘the Lamb of God’, more like the Servant of God mentioned in the first reading, who has come to do God’s will.
A logical sequence is unfolding here. Even though we are reading from Year A, with the Gospel of Matthew being the focus, today’s Gospel is taken from John. This allows for the placing of Ordinary Time in continuity with the mysteries of the manifestations of Christ, celebrated at Christmas and Epiphany, (the Adoration of the Magi and the Baptism of the Lord).
John the Baptist’s declaration of Jesus as the “Lamb of God” may not shock us today because Christ as the Lamb of God is a title very familiar to us. At Mass right before we receive Holy Communion, when the priest genuflects, takes the Blessed Host and, holding it slightly raised above the paten or above the chalice, he says “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world (cf. John 1:29). Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb (cf. Revelations 19:9).”
St Paul in the second reading writes to the Corinthians as one who has also been called, called to be an apostle, called to holiness, called by the will of God. The message is clear from the readings of today: It is we who are called – called to speak God’s word, to strengthen one another, and to point the way to Jesus Christ. “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.”