Welcome to this week's edition of Kadishat for the First Sunday after the Epiphany!
In this week's gospel, St John the Evangelist tells us about John the Baptist's proclamation about Jesus. He tells us that Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. In His death Jesus was the sacrificial lamb who paid the penalty for our sins. Do we, like John the Baptist, present Jesus to the world through our actions and words?
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St Anthony's Feast Day
This Thursday 17 January, we celebrate the feast day of St Anthony the Great, founder of the Monastic life.
On the occasion of this feast, the Monks of the Lebanese Maronite Order renew their vows. We invite you to join us for a solemn mass on Thursday 17 January at 6pm. The novena will be prayed every night at 6pm until the feast day.
I wish you all a blessed week and a Happy Feast Day to all those who bear the name of Anthony!
In God’s Love,
Fr. Dr. Antoine Tarabay
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21st Year—Number 1043 Sunday 13/01/2013
Season of the Epiphany
First Sunday after Epiphany
Sunday’s Readings: 2 Corinthians 10: 1-11 & John 1: 29-34
I myself have seen and have testified“The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, "After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me." I myself did not know him; but I came baptising with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptise with water said to me, "He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptises with the Holy Spirit." And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” John 1: 29-34
Reflection of the week
The Lamb of God
This Gospel conveys three key aspects of Jesus' identity. He is the apocalyptic lamb who destroys evil. He is the Suffering Servant willing to give his life for the redemption of his people. He is the paschal lamb who takes away our sins and leads us from bondage to liberation. Jesus is the Lamb of God. He shed his blood so that we could be forgiven of our sins.
Believe in the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
John the Baptist says that Jesus is the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world. In His death Jesus was the sacri-ficial Lamb who paid the penalty for our sins.
The first step in becoming a Christian is to repent of sins and believe in the Lord as Saviour. He will forgive us, take away our sins, and help us live an abundant life.
Accept God's call and work with a whole heart in His kingdom.
John the Baptist knew that He was not the Christ; he simply was the forerunner of Christ. His role was to prepare the people for the Messiah. He did this with great zest as he preached repentance and salvation.
Each of us has a role in the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:7) enables everyone to have a part in the work of God. We should recognize the gift or gifts that God has given us, accept our role, and fulfil that role with all our hearts and minds.
Be baptized by Jesus in the Holy Spirit.
John the Baptist tells us that he baptized people in water "so that He [Christ] might be manifested to Israel." Then, he tells us that Christ will baptize us in the Holy Spirit. Jesus poured out the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost to empower the disciples to witness to the world.
Thus, the Baptist baptized in water to make Christ known to Israel; Jesus baptizes in the Spirit to enable us to make Christ known to the world. It should be the desire of our hearts to be empowered by the Spirit for this task.
Present the Lamb of God to the world.
Christ, the Lamb of God, takes away our sins and makes it possible for us to work in the kingdom of God. The Spirit came upon Him, and He baptizes us in the Spirit. Our task is to present the Lamb of God to the world.
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Lambs
Lambs were commonly used by Jews in ritual sacrifice and, when a lamb was specified, it was to be a "lamb…without blemish." Sometimes a single lamb would be sacrificed; at other times, it could be as many as twelve or more.
As Christians, we don't practice ritual sacrifice. In part, this goes along with what Jesus taught his disciples when he said,
"But you go and learn what this means:
'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,'
for I came not to call the righteous,
but sinners to repentance." (Matthew 9:13)
'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,'
for I came not to call the righteous,
but sinners to repentance." (Matthew 9:13)
More to the point, we don't offer sacrifices in the church today because we believe that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice in dying, once and for all, for the forgiveness of sins. He died for us that we might live for others. When we make an offering today, it's in response to the freedom and forgiveness we've already received.
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Saint of the Week
St Anthony the Great,17 JanuaryOur venerable and God-bearing Father Saint Anthony the Great was born in to a wealthy family in up-per Egypt about 254 AD. Also known as Anthony of Egypt, Anthony of the Desert, and Anthony the Anchorite, he was a leader among the Desert Fathers, who were Christian monks in the Egyptian desert in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD.
One day after a teaching on Jesus saying to the people, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven; and come, follow Me" (Matthew 19:21), St. Anthony sold everything he owned, gave the proceeds to the poor, and left the city behind to live in the desert.
Although he held no titles or position, his holiness marked him as one whose wisdom commanded respect. When the Synod of Nicea was convened, he was invited to participate. His eloquent defence of the doctrine concerning the person of Jesus Christ was instrumental in weakening the position of Arianism. His witness led to the eventual and complete elimination of Arianism.
He instructed his followers to bury his body in an unmarked, secret grave, lest his body become an object of veneration. The monastic rules of Saint Anthony, the "patriarch" of monastic life, have
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Jesus Prays for All Believers (John 17:20-23)
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
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COMMUNION AND WITNESS
APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION for the MIDDLE EAST (13)
PART TWO (3):
Priests, deacons and seminarians
45. By his ordination the priest is configured to Christ and becomes a close collaborator of the Patriarch and Bishop in whose threefold munus he shares.[42] This itself makes him a servant of communion; the fulfilment of this role demands that he remain closely united to Christ and be zealous in charity and works of mercy towards all. Thus he will be able to radiate that holiness to which all the baptised are called. He will teach and encourage the People of God to build up the civilisation of evangelical love and unity. To this end he should renew and confirm his flock in the life of faith by wisely passing on God’s word and the Church’s Tradition and teaching, and by celebrating the sacraments.[43] The Eastern traditions are marked by great insight into the practice of spiritual direction. May priests, deacons and consecrated persons avail themselves of this practice and thereby open to the faithful pathways to eternity.
46. Bearing witness to communion also requires a solid theological and spiritual formation which in turn calls for ongoing intellectual and spiritual renewal. Bishops should provide priests and deacons with the means necessary to enable them to deepen their life of faith and thus benefit the faithful, giving them “food in due season” (Ps 145[144]:15). The faithful also rightly expect of them an example of unblemished conduct (cf. Phil 2:14-16).
47. Dear priests, I invite you to rediscover each day the ontological dimension of Holy Orders, which inspires you to live the priesthood as a source of sanctification for the baptised and for the betterment of every man and woman. “Tend the flock of God that is your charge … not for shameful gain, but eagerly” (1 Pet 5:2). Hold in high esteem the practice of living and working together, when possible, as a ministerial team, whatever difficulties this may entail (1 Pet 4:8-10); this will help you to esteem and experience more fully priestly and pas-toral communion at the local and universal levels. Dear deacons, in communion with your Bishop and the priests, serve the people of God in exercising your ministry in the specific responsibilities entrusted to you.
48. Priestly celibacy is a priceless gift of God to his Church, one which ought to be received with appreciation in East and West alike, for it represents an ever timely prophetic sign. Mention must also be made of the ministry of married priests, who are an ancient part of the East-ern tradition. I would like to encourage those priests who, along with their families, are called to holiness in the faithful exercise of their ministry and in sometimes difficult living conditions. To all I repeat that the excellence of your priestly life[44] will doubtless raise up new vocations which you are called to cultivate.
49. The calling of the young Samuel (cf. 1 Sam 3:1-19) teaches us that we need competent guides to assist us in discerning the will of the Lord and in responding generously to his call. Hence the flowering of vocations must be supported by a specific pastoral plan. It has to be sustained by prayer in families, parishes, ecclesial movements and educational institutions. Those who answer the Lord’s call need to experience growth in specific centres of formation and be guided by suitable and exemplary formators, who will train them in prayer, communion, witness and missionary awareness. There should be appropriate programmes to deal with the spiritual, intellectual and pastoral aspects of human life, while taking prudent account of differing social contexts, origins and cultural and ecclesial backgrounds.[45]
50. Dear seminarians, a reed cannot grow where there is no water (cf. Job 8:11); nor can you be true builders of communion and authentic witnesses of faith without being deeply rooted in Christ, without constant conversion to his word, without love of his Church and self-less love of neighbour. Even today you are being called to live and build communion for the sake of a courageous and blameless witness. The strengthening of God’s People in faith will depend on the quality of your own witness. I ask you to grow in openness to the cultural diversity of your Churches by coming to know other languages and cultures with a view to your future mission. Be open likewise to diversity in the Church and among all Christians, and to interreligious dialogue. A careful reading of my Letter to Seminarians should be of help in this regard.[46]
Next Sunday: The consecrated life
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