A Homily on John 1: 29-34 : Point Beyond Ourselves (18-01-2026)

A Homily on John 1: 29-34  teaching us  to Point Beyond Ourselves

Praise be to Jesus Christ

At the edge of a small village, an old lighthouse keeper lived alone by the sea. Every evening, as darkness fell and storms threatened passing ships, he would climb the narrow steps and light the lamp. Sailors rarely knew his name or saw his face; they only knew the light that guided them safely to shore. One night, a traveler asked him, “Do you ever wish people would notice you?” The old man smiled gently and replied, “If they notice me instead of the light, they may crash. My joy is that they see the light.” Like that lighthouse keeper, John the Baptist stood not to draw attention to himself, but to reveal the true Light who was coming into the world.

In John 1:29–34, John sees Jesus approaching and proclaims, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” With these words, John unveils the heart of Jesus’ mission. The image of the Lamb immediately recalls the Passover lamb whose blood saved the Israelites from death (Exodus 12:13) and the Suffering Servant who would bear the sins of many (Isaiah 53:7). Jesus is not introduced as a political savior or earthly king, but as the gentle Lamb who conquers sin through sacrifice and love. As St. John Chrysostom wrote, “He did not say, ‘who will take away,’ but ‘who takes away,’ showing the power of the One who is always at work for our salvation.”

John also confesses that he did not recognize Jesus by human wisdom alone. It was God who revealed Him through a sign: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on Him.” The Spirit’s abiding presence reveals Jesus as the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit, fulfilling God’s promise: “I will put my Spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:27). The dove recalls the Spirit hovering over the waters at creation (Genesis 1:2), showing that in Christ, God is beginning a new creation. St. Augustine reflects beautifully, “The Spirit descended in the form of a dove to show that those who are born of the Spirit must be simple and innocent.”

John’s final words are not about himself but about Christ: “I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” True discipleship always leads to testimony. John decreases so that Christ may increase (John 3:30). He teaches us that faith is not about possessing Jesus, but about pointing others toward Him. As St. Teresa of Calcutta reminds us, “We are not called to be successful, but faithful.” Like John, we are called to be faithful witnesses—voices that prepare hearts to recognize the Lamb of God in our midst.

For families, this passage is a gentle invitation to make Christ the center of daily life. Parents become modern-day witnesses when they teach children to recognize Jesus in prayer, forgiveness, and service. When family life reflects humility and love, it silently proclaims, “Behold the Lamb of God.” For consecrated persons, John the Baptist stands as a powerful model of vocation—rooted in obedience, simplicity, and joyful self-emptying. Religious life finds its deepest meaning not in recognition, but in pointing tirelessly to Christ through a life offered completely for God and His people.

Like the lighthouse keeper and like John the Baptist, our calling is not to shine for ourselves, but to lift up the Light of the world. When our lives whisper—even without words—“Behold the Lamb of God,” the world finds its way home.

Oh, Jesus be the centre of our lives …

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God Bless…