SCRIPTURE:
Like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth.
- Isaiah 53:7
“Worthy are you (the lamb) to receive the scroll and break open its seals, for you were slain. With your blood you purchased for God, men of every race and tongue, of every people and nation. You made of them a kingdom, and priests to serve our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
- Revelation 5:9-10
The next day, when John caught sight of Jesus coming toward him, he exclaimed: “Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
- John 1:29
ATONEMENT MAKES RIGHT THE WRONG CAUSED BY SIN:
John the Baptizer offers eloquent testimony to Jesus. He calls him ‘the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29).’ He equates Jesus with God as only God can take away sin. In Jesus’ presence, John realizes his true status. Jesus clearly ranks ahead of him because “he was before me (before the beginning of time)” In conclusion John says that he has seen and testified that ‘This is God’s chosen One.’
The background for this title is the victorious apocalyptic lamb that would destroy evil in the world. In Revelation 5:9 we are told that with his blood, Jesus purchased for God men of every race and tongue, of every people and nation. This title hearkens back as well to the paschal lamb of the Exodus whose blood saved Israel (Exodus 12: 13: “But the blood will mark the houses where you are. Seeing the blood, I will pass over you; thus, when I strike the land of Egypt, no destructive blow will come upon you.”), and the suffering servant of Isaiah who was led like a lamb to the slaughter as a sin offering: “Like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth. Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away, and who would have thought any more of his destiny? ...But the Lord was pleased to crush him in infirmity. (Isaiah 53: 7-8,10)”
REPENTANCE AT THE HEART OF DISCIPLESHIP:
Salvation can only come to us through the admission of our sins and acknowledgment that Jesus is our Savior who forgives us and restores us to new life in God. We will never be able to comprehend the depth and passion of God’s desire to redeem us to the point of Jesus shedding his life for us so that we are washed clean in the blood of the lamb. However, this gesture of saving love on Jesus’ part renews our hope, and strengthens our faith. As we strive toward deeper discipleship with the Holy Spirit’s guidance and help, we need to ask for a deeper sense of our sins and the necessity of Jesus as our Savior.
You can ponder very deliberately on the following reflections and talk to Jesus about the various conclusions you will draw from them:
· Try addressing Jesus as the Lamb of God, the one who has cleansed you of all sin through his blood. However, if you are to call Jesus your Lamb of God, you will have to be convinced that you are a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness. Do you truly believe you are a sinful person, not just in a general sort of way, but that sinful ways are a real part of your make-up. If so, you will henceforth refrain from making excuses and offering alibis.
· If Jesus is to be your Lamb of God, then you will have to take a hard look at your self-sufficient ways. You are self-sufficient when your relationships are superficial because you don’t care to get involved or be bothered; when your interest in others is self-serving because the bottom line is “how will I benefit from this?” You are self-sufficient when your dependence on material possessions and security is exaggerated; when you are the center of your conversations and plans. Would you be willing to dismantle this world that you have created around yourself? Would you be willing to give up the illusion that you can save yourself?
· An important dimension of Christian spirituality is that the depths of God’s mystery are revealed to us through the experience of God’s mercy. Once again mercy can’t be experienced without admission and confession of our sins. When you sin, do you flee from God, or run into God’s embrace?
· Lastly, Jesus can truly become your Lamb of God only when you embrace his worldview as envisioned in the Beatitudes: commitment to a life of simplicity and humility; dependence on God for everything; God-centeredness and mercy; embracing persecution for Jesus’ sake. Are you willing to live your life in this way?
HELPFUL ATTITUDES FOR PRAYER:
· During the Eucharistic celebration, make sure you pray the ‘Lamb of God’ prayer with your heart and not just with your lips. Praying it with your heart can be an effective preparation for receiving the Lord in communion.
· Jesus has many titles. Perhaps the most significant name by which to address Jesus is “Savior.” In your interactions with Jesus try to develop a deeper appreciation of the reality that Jesus is indeed your Savior and Lord.
· God cannot refuse the prayer that originates in the heart of a contrite and humbled spirit. Developing profound gratitude for every aspect of your life is an effective way of growing in humility.
· You are self-sufficient when your dependence on material possessions and security is exaggerated; when you are the center of your conversations and plans. Would you be willing to dismantle this world that you have created around yourself? Would you be willing to give up the illusion that you can save yourself?
· Jesus can truly become your Lamb of God only when you embrace his worldview as envisioned in the Beatitudes: commitment to a life of simplicity and humility; dependence on God for everything; God-centeredness and mercy; embracing persecution for Jesus’ sake. Are you willing to live your life in this way?
GUIDELINES FOR PRAYER:
- Be faithful to your time of prayer, and make it between 20 and 30 minutes daily.
- Begin every prayer session with an earnest prayer to the Holy Spirit like the one I have composed for you: Come, Holy Spirit, and overshadow me with your gentle wisdom and power as I endeavor to sit at the feet of Jesus during this period of prayer. Purify my mind and heart as I seek to make the teachings of Jesus my priority in life, thinking, speaking and doing as He desires. You are the keeper of my soul, leading me into God’s heart. May I be docile and submissive to your wisdom and guidance. And may my life be a pleasing offering in your sight. Amen.
- Take one of the passages suggested for the week for your prayer. During the week you might want to ponder the question, “When I ask God for forgiveness either in personal prayer or in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, do I believe I am forgiven by God?”
- Lastly, during your prayer make sure that along with reflection you also address God directly and listen for answers that you need.
- You can end your prayer with the following: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I thank you for your gracious companionship. I praise you for being my Creator, Savior and Lord. May I take your blessings to my day, and may your presence envelop and permeate all my thoughts and actions. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PASSAGES FOR PRAYER:
Exodus 12: The Passover Meal
Leviticus 16: 1-28: The Day of Atonement
Hebrews 9: 1-28: The Worship of the Old Covenant
John 1: 29-51: The Baptist’s Testimony and The First Disciples
Revelation 5: 1-14: The Scroll and the Lamb
SPIRITUAL READING:
The Imitation of Christ:
Book 4: Chapter 8: Of Christ’s Offering on the Cross, and of Our Own Self-Surrender
Book43: Chapter 13: That a Devout Soul should Wish wholeheartedly to be United with Christ in the Sacrament
New Testament:
The Gospel of John: Chapters 1-12: The Great Discourse
JOURNALING:
- Journal for a few minutes daily about your experience with God in prayer and during the day.
- Your journal will help you with your sharing in spiritual direction
- Gradually patterns of insights, themes, consolations, and resistance to God’s promptings will emerge.
Your journal will help you appreciate the Holy Spirit’s action in your being.
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