No longer Servants ~ A Reflection by M.A. Allen

Sermon of St. John the Baptist (cropped)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1566


Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 49:3, 5-6
Ps 40:2 and 4, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10
1 Cor 1:1-3
John 1:29-34

In the First Reading from Isaiah, we discover once again how great a love God has for His people. Though the Israelites were considered servants of the Lord, "through whom I show my glory" (Is 49:3), we now learn that the title of "servant" is not good enough for the people God loves. The Lord decides instead, on a much more important designation and one that will have far reaching effects as salvation history unfolds.

God appoints His people to be "a light to the nations" so that "my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." (Is 49:6) We too, as People of God, are to be that light to the nations that Isaiah spoke of. In our lives today, we are to focus our attention on others; to show them that God loves us infinitely and forever; and that we have no control over His love for us. Even when we sin, God never stops loving us.

God sent His Son, Jesus, to explain His Father's Love to us and to let us know that anyone can come to the Lord. Our task is to go out and tell the world this Good News.

John the Baptist points to Jesus as the One who will baptize not with water as John did, but with the Spirit. John testified that he saw the Spirit come down like a dove and remain on Jesus and heard the Father's words, convincing him that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. (John 1:29ff)

This same Jesus was preached by Paul to the people of Corinth. Paul reminded them that with their Baptism into this new life, they are called to be holy and to realize they are now in union with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 1:1-3)

The psalmist recognized long ago that the only response to the love that our Heavenly Father has for us, His people, was this: "...to do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart." (Ps 40:9) We must do the same...


~ Free Christ Images