Scripture Reading Reflection

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By Fr. Andrew Kelly
SECOND SUNDAY ORDINAL TIME – JAN. 19, 2014
The words and witness of John the Baptizer still stir the believing community’s soul. The community ponders: “Just who is this Jesus that John is pointing to?” In Sunday’s Gospel (John 1:29-34) John opens up the mystery of Jesus’ presence within the community.
John proclaims: “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John points to the Lamb of God hanging on the cross that dominates the worship space. The crucified Lamb forever gives witness that sin is now dead, as God and human beings now live God’s eternal life.
John further proclaims: “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on Jesus … Jesus on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.”
The crucified Lamb hovers over the baptismal font as the dove hovered over Jesus. Human beings are plunged into the water spirit-dead but rise up Spirit-filled believers. This is the meaning of “the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.”
The community is eternally grateful for John’s witness and reminder of just who the Jesus is who stirs the community’s soul with God’s very life.
(Father Andrew Kelly is a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport.)

Scripture Readings for Jan. 19-26
Sunday
Is 49:3, 5-6
1 Cor 1:1-3
Jn 1:29-34

Monday
1 Sm 15:16-23
Mk 2:18-22

Tuesday
1 Sm 16:1-13
Mk 2:23-28

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Wednesday
1 Sm 17:32-33, 37,
40-51
Mk 3:1-6

Thursday
1 Sm 18:6-9;19:1-7
Mk 3:7-12

Friday
1 Sm 24:3-21
Mk 3:13-19

Saturday
Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22
Mk 16:15-18

Sunday
Is 8:23-9:3
1 Cor 1:10-13, 17
Mt 4:12-23 or Mt 4:12-17


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