Liberation and freedom

Reflection

In John’s Gospel, the first thing that any human being says of Jesus is found on the lips of John the Baptist: Look, there is the Lamb of God. We think naturally and correctly of the Passover lamb and of the Passover, the feast which marks the liberation of Israel.

To be set free is a wonderful experience. How do I experience my freedom in Christ? From what have I been set free? (For example, fear of death, the risk of absurdity, sins and false directions in life…) Even more important, for what have I been set free?

Reading

Isaiah 49:3, 5-6; Psalm 40 (39); 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-34

Meditation (John 1:29-34)

The words of John point to a deep recognition of Jesus’ identity. Can I recall times when this recognition took place for me, first of all on a human level, and then on the faith level?

John the Baptist admits to not knowing him—a place of real honesty which is the beginning of the pilgrimage of faith. At some point, perhaps, I heard the words of the Psalmist in my heart: a voice I did not know said to me, I freed your shoulder from the burden (Ps 81).

What is my own conviction about being sent and about the one sending me? Prayer of call and response.

Jesus baptises with the Spirit—a baptism I too have received, perhaps too young. In later life, there can be an awakening of the Spirit, an inner hunger and thirst, a sense of the Spirit’s help in our weakness. Prayer of Romans 8:26-27.

Witness is the key. Who have been witnesses to me of the Good News? To whom am I today a witness? Prayer of 1 John 1:1-4.