In this Year of Matthew's Gospel, we now move into what is termed 'Ordinary Time'. However, one can argue, that after the events of these past few weeks, our lives can never again be termed 'ordinary'. God has burst into our little world in the most dramatic, yet ordinary, way. The birth of the child in Bethlehem transformed our world. The dawning of this extraordinary new light into our ordinary little lives will make a difference for each of us. We have taken down our trees and the sparkly lights have been put away for another year, but we need that encouragement and support as we continue our journey of faith for another new and exciting year.

Today's Gospel reading is actually from John: it relates the great figure of Advent, John the Baptist pointing to Jesus. His job is now complete as the Christ begins his public ministry. In urging his own followers to become new disciples, John uses that prayer so familiar to each of us, as we prepare to share the Eucharist:

Look, there is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! (Jn 1:29)

John's choice of language is interesting: he sees Jesus as the sacrificial lamb to be offered on the ultimate altar of sacrifice. It is a reminder of that most central feast of the Jewish faith, Passover. In the pain of misery of Egypt, the Jewish slaves, led by Moses celebrated their new freedom and pilgrimage to the Promised Land by sharing the lamb in the Passover meal. He is telling his disciples that this is the sacrificial lamb, offered at the time when the people were under the slavery of Egypt. The lamb was offered that terrible night and his blood was placed upon the doorposts of all the children of Israel and the lamb became the sacrifice by which all of them were freed. This is the lamb who is the sacrificial lamb. This is the Messiah who does not come with great armies. This is the Messiah who comes to us as a sacrificial lamb and, as John says, who offers his whole life that sins might be forgiven.

As we begin this exciting journey towards Lent, Good Friday, Easter Day and Pentecost, we will once again share the strength of Jesus's ministry through parables, healing and an outreach to everyone, especially those on the margins. The baby of Nazareth has grown up, and He will challenge each of us with his Good News. For us, that Good News is that our sins are taken away. Our God is not vengeful, acting like some supreme judge and jury over our lives. Indeed it is Matthew who shares with us the parable of the 'Last Judgement' (see Matt 25:31-46). In this parable, Jesus recognises that our actions have consequences: we are called to share our food and water, we need to be aware of the sick, disadvantaged, and prisoners in our midst. Christianity is about action, and not sitting passively by. Pope Francis reminds us that empathy and compassion lie at the heart of our Christian life:

Compassion for others opens the gates of eternity. To bend down on the needy to serve them is to make an antechamber for paradise. If indeed, as St. Paul reminds us, 'charity will never end,' then it is precisely the bridge that connects heaven and earth. Do I live 'by going to the Lord' or revolving around myself? (04/11/2019)

Author: Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB

Photo by Modestas Urbonas on Unsplash