Greetings on this the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6; Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-34
Summary
Have you ever have a song get stuck in your head?
Someone nearby singing or humming a really good song or a really annoying song just long enough — that it enters you mind and zap!
That’s it.
It sticks in there all day.
All day long, no matter how you try… you find yourself repeating the song.
It’s amazing the power of communication.
Now, going further, have you ever have a song get stuck in your heart?
A song that moves from the ear, to the mind, to the heart and it stays with you a lifetime.
Our sacred readings today express that in a special way and it is marvelous to realize it.
The scripture talks about a different kind of song—one God places within us.
Reflection
‘He put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God.’
From our sacred Responsorial Psalm (or processional/offertory) today we joyfully sing: Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Make of me what pleases you.
Here I am
Here I am … Lord.
Does it not recall for us two things:
- The story of the calling of Samuel. Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.
- and How we were moved to say: Here I am, Lord. Do you remember the first time you said YES to Jesus?
How does this song get into our heart?
You prayed it to be so. Literally, a moment ago.
Do you recall the prayer just before proclaiming the Gospel today (and many of you did likewise)?
(Then doing the cross of the forehead, lips and heart)
May the words of the Gospel be on my mind, upon my lips, and within my heart that I may worthily proclaim the Gospel.
The homily is exactly that journey.
- First, to our mind.
- Then upon our lips.
- Then resting in our hearts.
- Worthily we react.
Our psalmist prescribes a way to make the new song real and let it be sticky in our hearts.
- Wait on the Lord – be patient – He’s got you.
- He stoops toward you – meaning he reaches you, you don’t have to go searching for him in desperation but in reception.
- He’ll give you His song – the one he sings to you as if a lullaby to calm you — or a vibrant song that gets you singing and doing things too.
- Open your ears to hear him, making the law of love live within us by cooperation.
- Then I too will sing – a duet with Jesus. Even better, a choir with Jesus.
Is not our first reading from Isaiah a calling to be like a the choir of the Lord?
Is it too little to be a servant? Which person among us is better? Who is the loudest?
What make a choir (our choir of voices) is the synchronization of the voices. The blending of unique voices.
Do you think by coordinating voices we cannot hear other’s each voice?
On the contrary the servanthood of singing together is a perfect example of obedience.
I hear you – the Lord proclaims!
Open your mouth and … I will fill it (PS 81:11). Making a joyful noise unto the Lord — does not require perfect pitch! Just a Joyful noise.
This movement from head, to lips to the heart is exactly what Paul describes in his letter greeting to the Corinthians:
You who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy, with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In our Gospel Portion today
Jesus, the Servant: three other passages have been popularly called “servant of the Lord” poems: 49:1–7; 50:4–11; 52:13–53:12.
We read the Matthew account of Jesus’ baptism last Sunday, today John’s account.
Last week during the daily reading we encountered the curing of the demonic. In that case the demon was attempting to us the titles of Jesus to disarm him, to make his glory irrelevant.
Today we have the same technique but with a greater purpose!
To recognize Jesus with love and awe.
The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
He is the Son of God.
Personal Reflection
In our sacred liturgy today we are given voice, to be heard, to declare and to proclaim, Jesus. Lord, Friend, Servant, Son of God.
(Repeating: the cross of the forehead, lips and heart)
Let us follow the sacred path from the mind, to the lips and into the heart.
And worthily proclaim Jesus all the time.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011826.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry