Reflection -2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

A Reflection from Father Six –

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE CHILDREN’S LITURGY QUESTIONS

Brothers and sisters in Christ,
after the joy of Christmas and the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord, the Church now leads us into Ordinary Time. “Ordinary” does not mean boring or unimportant. It means the time when we learn how to live our faith in ordinary, everyday life. Today’s readings help us understand who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him day by day.

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah speaks about a servant chosen by God to bring light, justice, and hope, not only to one nation but to the whole world. This servant is gentle and faithful. God promises to be with him and to make him a light to others. For us, this reminds us that God has also chosen each one of us. We may not be famous or powerful, but through our kindness, honesty, prayer, and love, God can use us to bring His light to our families, schools, workplaces, and communities.

In the second reading, Saint Paul greets the people as those who are called to be holy. He does not say they are already perfect. He reminds them that holiness begins with God’s call. This is very important for our spiritual life. Being holy does not start with our own strength; it starts with saying “yes” to God every day. When we pray, when we forgive, when we try again after failing, we are responding to that call to holiness.

In the Gospel, John the Baptist points to Jesus and says, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” John does not point to himself. He points to Jesus. He tells the people that Jesus is the one who takes away the sin of the world. This image of the Lamb helps us understand Jesus’ mission. A lamb is gentle and innocent. Jesus gives His life for us out of love. Spiritually, this invites us to trust Him. When we carry guilt, weakness, or fear, we are invited to bring all of it to Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away our sins.

Like John the Baptist, we are called to point others to Jesus, not by preaching loudly, but by how we live. When we choose patience instead of anger, honesty instead of lies, prayer instead of despair, we are silently saying, “Look to Jesus.” Ordinary Time teaches us that following Jesus happens in small, faithful steps every day.

As we continue this Ordinary Time, let us remember who Jesus is: the chosen one of God, the Lamb who takes away our sins, and the light for the whole world. Let us also remember who we are: people called by God, loved by Him, and sent to reflect His light in ordinary life.

May this Eucharist strengthen us to recognize Jesus more clearly, to trust Him more deeply, and to follow Him more faithfully in our everyday lives. Amen.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY QUESTIONS

ï  Yes – Did John the Baptist see Jesus coming toward him?

ï  No – Did John say Jesus was a king with a crown?

ï  Yes – Did John call Jesus the Lamb of God?

ï  No – Did John say Jesus takes away the food of the world?

ï  Yes – Did John say Jesus takes away the sin of the world?

ï  No – Did John say he baptized with gold?

ï  Yes – Did John baptize with water?

ï  No – Did the Spirit come down like a rock?

ï  Yes – Did the Spirit come down from heaven?

ï  No – Did the Spirit fly away and not stay?

ï  Yes – Did the Spirit remain on Jesus?

ï  No – Did John say Jesus was a bad man?

ï  Yes – Did God tell John how to recognize Jesus?

ï  No – Did John choose Jesus by guessing?

ï  Yes – Did John give witness about Jesus?

ï  No – Did John say he was greater than Jesus?

ï  Yes – Did John say Jesus is the Son of God?

ï  No – Did John say Jesus was only an ordinary person?

ï  Yes – Did John see the Spirit like a dove?

ï  No – Did John say Jesus came to bring sin?