Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": Holy Name of Jesus

'Eyeball' pin: We'll see God as he is (1st reading); all have seen God's saving power (psalm); "I've seen and testified the Jesus is the Son of God" (gospel)

Listen

For gospel

For Psalm 98

Read

1 Jn 2:29–3:6 Everyone who acts justly is begotten by God. We're God's children, and we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone with this hope makes himself pure, but everyone who sins commits lawlessness. He, sinless, was revealed to take away sins. No one in him sins; no one who sins has known him.

Ps 98:1, 3cd-6 "All the ends of the earth have seen God's saving power." Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds....

Jn 1:29-34 John the Baptist, seeing Jesus approach, said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, the one of whom I said, 'One will come after me who ranks ahead of me.' I didn't know him, but I baptized with water to make him known. I saw the Spirit come down from the sky and rest on him. The one who sent me to baptize told me, 'The one you see the Spirit rest on is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and testified he is the Son of God."

Reflect

Creighton: The 1st reading reminds me I'm a beloved child of God. Sometimes I drift from that awareness, though others testify to the love I experience from God. Often I sin out of lack of empathy or a desire to enjoy myself; when I do, it affects others. Those who have hope based on God make themselves pure as God is pure. As we return to daily routines, I pray for grace to remember I'm God's beloved child; it helps me be more present to others and open to their wisdom. I pray for insights on how I can use my gifts to serve God's kingdom.

One Bread, One Body: "We're God's children now": By the grace of the Holy Spirit, John realized what it means to be a child of God. On each of the remaining eight days of the Christmas season, ask the Spirit to teach you and impress on you the glory of being a child of God.

Passionist: Even if I can’t find a quiet space to be alone with God, he's is still here, within me and in the faces of his children, so close to him in their trust and innocence, mirroring his love, giving us a glimpse into beauty. We can settle into a rut as we age, but being with children reminds me to engage in activities I enjoy. Sometimes I need to force myself to get out, but it makes me feel more alive. When I picture a lamb, I picture children wanting to hold him and feel his wool. May we become more childlike and draw near to the Lamb of God daily and receive his love. May we be open and trusting as little children and abide in the Lord....

DailyScripture.net: "Behold the Lamb of God!" John calls Jesus the Lamb of God, signifying Jesus' mission as Redeemer. The blood of the Passover Lamb delivered the Israelites from slavery and death. The blood Jesus poured out cleanses, heals, and frees us. John was the son of Zechariah, a priest who participated in the daily sacrifice of a lamb for the people's sins. John recognized Jesus as the unblemished lamb offered by the Father as the sacrifice to cancel the debt of sin and free us from death and destruction. When he said he didn't know Jesus, he was referring to Jesus' hidden divinity, but then the Spirit revealed Jesus' true nature to him, and he bore witness that this is the Son of God. The Spirit makes Christ known to us through faith. God gives us his Spirit to open us to receive and comprehend God's plan to unite all things in his Son. Lord, pour your Spirit on you to deepen my faith, hope, and love....

Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress"