One day a grandmother was enjoying an all-day visit with her 5-year old grandson. He followed her around all day.
He even sat down by her side in the evening when she removed her makeup and applied face-cream. He asked her about the stuff she was smearing on her face. She explained that it was to keep the wrinkles away. He looked a little closer at her and said: “It doesn’t work, does it?”
In the Gospel story today (John 1:29-34) John the Baptist takes a closer look at Jesus and says, “He does work!” “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
From the daily bombings in Ukraine to the spiteful things that you and I do and say – we realize our world is loaded with sin and with sinners. Sin is a spiritual cancer, isn’t it? Sin produces more and more sin. There are retaliation bombings in the Middle East countries, romantic breakups that lead to suicide and death, revenge, partisan politics, estrangement, and the silent treatment. Sin is a vicious circle, isn’t it? An ugly chain of events that keeps repeating itself over and over again.
Jesus breaks that circle, that chain of sin, if we let him. What do millions of people all around the world say at each and every Mass before taking Jesus into their bodies and souls at Communion time? “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.”
As we receive Jesus in Communion we can say to him: “I’m doing this for you, Jesus. I should snap back at this family member of mine and give them hell. I think they deserve it. But because of you in my life, I won’t. I won’t even give them the silent treatment or a stare.”
“Lord, this person doesn’t deserve a civil answer after what they said to me. But I’m going to be kind. I’m going to try my best to be loving. Jesus, you showed me how to live. I’m going to keep on trying to live that way.”
When you and I pray and talk to Jesus like this, we are tapping into the greatest source of power and strength that there is – the Lamb of God – who takes away not only the sin of the world, but the sins that each one of us commits.
Jesus is the only person who has ever lived who has trifocal vision: 1. He sees what we’ve done, 2. He sees who we are, and 3. Jesus has a vision of what we will become.
And this is because Jesus has the Four Most Powerful Words to say to you and me – I BELIEVE IN YOU!
The British actor, Sean Connery (1930-1920), was still acting as he approached the age of 90. He was asked why he was still acting in so many movies at his age. Connery replied, “Because I get the opportunity to be somebody better and more interesting than I really am.” Every day Jesus gives you and me the opportunity to be somebody better and more interesting than we are.”
When we listen carefully, we can hear Jesus say to us: “I BELIEVE IN YOU!”
When was the last time YOU heard Jesus say to YOU: “I BELIEVE IN YOU!”? If not, it’s time to start listening to Jesus in YOUR heart!
ANXIETY HAPPENS WHEN WE THINK WE HAVE TO FIGURE EVERYTHING OUT. TURN TO GOD, GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU!!
