First Sunday of the Epiphany Season
Gospel: John 1: 29-34
29The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is he of whom I said, "After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me." 31I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ 32And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, "He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." 34And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’
Reflection 1
From Recognition to MissionIn the Maronite Liturgical Calendar, January 6 marks the beginning of the Epiphany Season. The Season extends to the beginning of Lent.
Today, we witness the powerful testimony of John the Baptist as he recognises Jesus as the Lamb of God.
John the Baptist points to Jesus and proclaims, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” In these words, we are invited to recognise the Lamb who saves through humility and self-giving love.
This passage is not just a historical moment—it is a revelation that continues to unfold in the heart of every believer.
This passage calls us to move beyond "knowing about" God to "witnessing" to Him. Like John, our mission is to point away from ourselves and toward the Lamb. Whether in our families or our workplaces, we are invited to be the "voice crying out," helping others recognise the presence of God that is already standing in their midst.
“I did not know Him” — The Humility That Reveals God
John repeats twice: “I did not know Him.”
John’s humility becomes the doorway through which revelation enters the world.
In Maronite spirituality, humility is self‑emptying, making space for God’s light. When we make space for Him, He reveals Himself more clearly. John decreases so Christ can increase—not only in history, but in every believer.
Christ often passes quietly through our lives, waiting to be recognised with eyes of faith.
The Holy One Among Sinners
By entering the waters of the Jordan, Jesus—the Holy One who did not need to be baptised—chooses to stand fully among sinners. Though sinless Himself, He steps into the waters of repentance to reveal the depth of God’s mercy. He does not remain at a distance, directing from the shore; rather, He enters the river of our brokenness to heal it from within, sanctifying the waters and renewing all creation.
In this moment, Christ begins His saving mission by descending into our condition so that He may raise us to divine life.
As we receive the Eucharist this week, we remember that the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world is also the Good Shepherd who walks with His flock, knows each of us by name, and leads us from the waters of death into the fullness of life.
Reflection 2
The lamb who takes away our sins
Today, we witness the powerful testimony of John the Baptist as he recognises Jesus as the Lamb of God. Jesus is referred to as the Lamb of God, symbolising His role as the perfect sacrifice for sin, much like the Passover lamb in the Old Testament.
The Lamb of God has come to take away the sin of the world. We need to acknowledge the ways in which we have been tainted by the sin of the world, if we are to experience the enlightenment and the freedom that Jesus has come to give.
Why does John the Baptist use the title Lamb when referring to Jesus?
"I myself did not know Him"
The baptism of Jesus marks the moment when John comes to understand Jesus as the Anointed One, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. John the Baptist’s experience of the Spirit descending on Jesus is an important sign of Jesus' divine mission.
Jesus' true identity was revealed by the Father through the Holy Spirit. Recognizing Jesus as the Messiah requires a personal revelation from God. This can be seen as a reminder for us that faith is a gift and that understanding the true nature of Christ comes from God’s revelation, not simply human knowledge or effort.
Understanding Forgiveness and Grace in our daily lives
Jesus as the Lamb of God emphasizes His sacrifice on the cross to take away our sins. This means that no matter what we have done, God offers us forgiveness. In our lives, this should encourage us to accept God's grace and be open to forgiving others, knowing that God's mercy is greater than any mistake or sin.
Do Not Let This World Distract You from God
We live in a world that often captivates our attention and draws us away from the Lamb of God. The distractions of fame, wealth, and the misdeeds of others can easily pull our focus from Jesus. At times, we may lose sight of Him in the noise of the world. And when that happens, we turn away from the true source of life and grace. In those moments, we risk sinning against the Lamb of God, who calls us back to Himself with love and mercy.
Thought of the week
We should reflect on how our lives testify to the presence of Christ within us. Are we living in a way that points others to Him?
Reflection 3
The Lamb of God
John chooses to call Jesus “The Lamb of God” at the very beginning of his ministry.
Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The Messiah was described as a lamb who went silently to the slaughter, to take the sin of his people. This isn’t for the Jewish race only, it’s for all human beings without exception. Jesus is the sacrifice for all our sins and his death and resurrection inaugurate a New Covenant between God and his people. It is through the blood of this Lamb that we find salvation and liberation.
John’s mission had reached its completion. His role was to point people to Jesus, the Lamb of God.
In our efforts to build Christ’s Kingdom, we can take John as a model to teach us that our goal in this life should be Christ and our path is His will and nothing else matters.
Our baptism with the Holy Spirit
Jesus gave us a new kind of Baptism, which not only was a sign of repentance and cleansing from sin, but also transformed us and gave us new life. The "baptism of the Holy Spirit" involves being immersed in and empowered by the Holy Spirit and by God's powerful Love.
His Baptism on the cross
Jesus once said to His disciples, “There is a baptism with which I must be baptised, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!” (Luke 12:50). When James and John wanted Jesus to guarantee them a special place in heaven, Jesus replied: “Can you … be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised?” (Mark 10:38).
“Christian, remember your dignity!
Now that you share in God’s own nature, do not return by sin to your former base condition. Bear in mind who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Do not forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of God’s kingdom. Through the Sacrament of Baptism you have become a temple of the Holy Spirit. Do not drive away so great a guest by evil conduct and become again a slave to the devil, for your liberty was bought by the blood of Christ.” Saint Leo the Great
Thought for the Week
"If you only want to have more and more, if your idol is profit and pleasure, remember that man's value is not measured by what he has but by what he is.(Saint Pope John Paul II)
References
The Lamb of God that forgives
Jesus as the messiah is taking the sins of man onto himself. He adopts our sins in order to save us. The Immaculate that erases the sins of the world through his suffering and his death reveals His heart to this world that wants to measure everything, even God and his gift. Today, as at every Mass, we are asked to accept this statement as it is, an indication of the Eucharistic gift of God to us: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but just say the word and my soul shall be healed.” The Lamb that the priest shows when elevating the host, must be worshiped in his divine humility and eaten in communion with his infinite charity.
Today’s Gospel presents us with the mission of tenderness of Christ that requires the collaboration of our love. This Gospel makes us put our feet in the steps of Jesus and asks us to accompany him to the end, to achieve this mysterious plan in which the triumph of God must be fulfilled in the “defeat” of the Cross so that we know that it is not for us to wait with folded arms the creation of a destiny that is fulfilled without us. On the contrary, we are involved with God in the work to build a world based on love, a world whose creative dimension is a dimension of generosity and self-giving, with Christ, through Christ and in Christ. Archbishop Follo
Gospel: John 1: 29-34
29The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is he of whom I said, "After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me." 31I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ 32And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, "He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." 34And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’
Reflection 1
From Recognition to MissionIn the Maronite Liturgical Calendar, January 6 marks the beginning of the Epiphany Season. The Season extends to the beginning of Lent.
Today, we witness the powerful testimony of John the Baptist as he recognises Jesus as the Lamb of God.
John the Baptist points to Jesus and proclaims, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” In these words, we are invited to recognise the Lamb who saves through humility and self-giving love.
This passage is not just a historical moment—it is a revelation that continues to unfold in the heart of every believer.
This passage calls us to move beyond "knowing about" God to "witnessing" to Him. Like John, our mission is to point away from ourselves and toward the Lamb. Whether in our families or our workplaces, we are invited to be the "voice crying out," helping others recognise the presence of God that is already standing in their midst.
“I did not know Him” — The Humility That Reveals God
John repeats twice: “I did not know Him.”
John’s humility becomes the doorway through which revelation enters the world.
In Maronite spirituality, humility is self‑emptying, making space for God’s light. When we make space for Him, He reveals Himself more clearly. John decreases so Christ can increase—not only in history, but in every believer.
Christ often passes quietly through our lives, waiting to be recognised with eyes of faith.
The Holy One Among Sinners
By entering the waters of the Jordan, Jesus—the Holy One who did not need to be baptised—chooses to stand fully among sinners. Though sinless Himself, He steps into the waters of repentance to reveal the depth of God’s mercy. He does not remain at a distance, directing from the shore; rather, He enters the river of our brokenness to heal it from within, sanctifying the waters and renewing all creation.
In this moment, Christ begins His saving mission by descending into our condition so that He may raise us to divine life.
As we receive the Eucharist this week, we remember that the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world is also the Good Shepherd who walks with His flock, knows each of us by name, and leads us from the waters of death into the fullness of life.
Reflection 2
The lamb who takes away our sins
Today, we witness the powerful testimony of John the Baptist as he recognises Jesus as the Lamb of God. Jesus is referred to as the Lamb of God, symbolising His role as the perfect sacrifice for sin, much like the Passover lamb in the Old Testament.
The Lamb of God has come to take away the sin of the world. We need to acknowledge the ways in which we have been tainted by the sin of the world, if we are to experience the enlightenment and the freedom that Jesus has come to give.
Why does John the Baptist use the title Lamb when referring to Jesus?
- God required the Jews to sacrifice a lamb twice a day to expiate the sins of the people (Cf. Exodus 29:39). Thus, the lamb symbolized the price to be paid for sin.
- The primary holy day of the Jews was (and remains) the Passover. In the Passover ceremony, each family sacrifices and eats a lamb to recall their liberation from Egypt in the days of Moses. On that night, God killed all the firstborn children and animals of the Egyptians, but spared those of the Hebrews. In order to indicate which households the angel of death was to skip over, God commanded the Hebrews to kill a lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood. Thus, the Passover lamb signified God’s merciful and saving love.
- The Messiah announced by the Prophets was described as a lamb who went silently to the slaughter, to take the sins of his people upon himself and wipe them away.
"I myself did not know Him"
The baptism of Jesus marks the moment when John comes to understand Jesus as the Anointed One, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. John the Baptist’s experience of the Spirit descending on Jesus is an important sign of Jesus' divine mission.
Jesus' true identity was revealed by the Father through the Holy Spirit. Recognizing Jesus as the Messiah requires a personal revelation from God. This can be seen as a reminder for us that faith is a gift and that understanding the true nature of Christ comes from God’s revelation, not simply human knowledge or effort.
Understanding Forgiveness and Grace in our daily lives
Jesus as the Lamb of God emphasizes His sacrifice on the cross to take away our sins. This means that no matter what we have done, God offers us forgiveness. In our lives, this should encourage us to accept God's grace and be open to forgiving others, knowing that God's mercy is greater than any mistake or sin.
Do Not Let This World Distract You from God
We live in a world that often captivates our attention and draws us away from the Lamb of God. The distractions of fame, wealth, and the misdeeds of others can easily pull our focus from Jesus. At times, we may lose sight of Him in the noise of the world. And when that happens, we turn away from the true source of life and grace. In those moments, we risk sinning against the Lamb of God, who calls us back to Himself with love and mercy.
Thought of the week
We should reflect on how our lives testify to the presence of Christ within us. Are we living in a way that points others to Him?
Reflection 3
The Lamb of God
John chooses to call Jesus “The Lamb of God” at the very beginning of his ministry.
Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The Messiah was described as a lamb who went silently to the slaughter, to take the sin of his people. This isn’t for the Jewish race only, it’s for all human beings without exception. Jesus is the sacrifice for all our sins and his death and resurrection inaugurate a New Covenant between God and his people. It is through the blood of this Lamb that we find salvation and liberation.
John’s mission had reached its completion. His role was to point people to Jesus, the Lamb of God.
In our efforts to build Christ’s Kingdom, we can take John as a model to teach us that our goal in this life should be Christ and our path is His will and nothing else matters.
Our baptism with the Holy Spirit
Jesus gave us a new kind of Baptism, which not only was a sign of repentance and cleansing from sin, but also transformed us and gave us new life. The "baptism of the Holy Spirit" involves being immersed in and empowered by the Holy Spirit and by God's powerful Love.
His Baptism on the cross
Jesus once said to His disciples, “There is a baptism with which I must be baptised, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!” (Luke 12:50). When James and John wanted Jesus to guarantee them a special place in heaven, Jesus replied: “Can you … be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised?” (Mark 10:38).
“Christian, remember your dignity!
Now that you share in God’s own nature, do not return by sin to your former base condition. Bear in mind who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Do not forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of God’s kingdom. Through the Sacrament of Baptism you have become a temple of the Holy Spirit. Do not drive away so great a guest by evil conduct and become again a slave to the devil, for your liberty was bought by the blood of Christ.” Saint Leo the Great
Thought for the Week
"If you only want to have more and more, if your idol is profit and pleasure, remember that man's value is not measured by what he has but by what he is.(Saint Pope John Paul II)
References
The Lamb of God that forgives
Jesus as the messiah is taking the sins of man onto himself. He adopts our sins in order to save us. The Immaculate that erases the sins of the world through his suffering and his death reveals His heart to this world that wants to measure everything, even God and his gift. Today, as at every Mass, we are asked to accept this statement as it is, an indication of the Eucharistic gift of God to us: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but just say the word and my soul shall be healed.” The Lamb that the priest shows when elevating the host, must be worshiped in his divine humility and eaten in communion with his infinite charity.
Today’s Gospel presents us with the mission of tenderness of Christ that requires the collaboration of our love. This Gospel makes us put our feet in the steps of Jesus and asks us to accompany him to the end, to achieve this mysterious plan in which the triumph of God must be fulfilled in the “defeat” of the Cross so that we know that it is not for us to wait with folded arms the creation of a destiny that is fulfilled without us. On the contrary, we are involved with God in the work to build a world based on love, a world whose creative dimension is a dimension of generosity and self-giving, with Christ, through Christ and in Christ. Archbishop Follo