Daily Mass Homily: Thursday, January 3rd, 2013 (Holy Name of Jesus)

            In his public preaching, John the Baptist shows in a few words why we honor the name of Jesus.  He exclaims, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.”

            This declaration succinctly shows Jesus as the realization of the Old Testament.  The Lamb of God fulfills many signs from salvation history.  Remember that the angel said to Abraham, as he was about to sacrifice Isaac, “God himself will provide the lamb.”  At the time, God gave Abraham a ram, not a lamb, for sacrifice.

            And consider the greatest feast of the Jews—Passover.  The Israelites sacrificed a lamb and spread its blood on their doorposts to be spared by the angel of death.  Jesus, the Lamb of God, was sacrificed by crucifixion and spread His blood on the cross.

            At every Mass the priest shows the fulfillment of the Lamb of God: “Behold, the Lamb of God.  Behold Him who takes away the sins of the world.  Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.” 

            John the Baptist, the prophet of the New Covenant, first prophesies the completion of Jesus’ sacrifice as the Lamb of God.  On this day where we remember the holy name of Jesus, which has salvific power, we say “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!”