Texts taken from the “On Your Word” Daily Missal January-February 2023

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
2nd week, weekday cycle

FIRST READING

From the book of the prophet Isaiah (Is 49:3, 5-6)
The Lord said to me: “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will manifest my glory.” Now the Lord has spoken, he who formed me as his servant from the womb, to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to him - for I was honored by the Lord and God was my strength - and he said: “It is too little for you to be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel. I will make you a light to the nations, so that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth.” - The word of God.

Commentary on the first reading

The book of the prophet Isaiah speaks several times of a “servant” who has the characteristics of a great leader, but it also says that he will be humble, meek and above all suffering. Clearly, this refers to Jesus, who through his sacrifice and the gift of the Holy Spirit will restore all things, but not in the human way, as we understand it. “To make this servant a light to the nations” means bringing the Holy Spirit into the hearts of all, because the Spirit is the true light of God. Naturally, this light must be welcomed for it to be effective, but there must also be someone to bring it. That someone is Jesus. “I am the light of the world” (Jn 8:12), the Lord will say. Then, addressing the disciples: “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5:14). If the world is in darkness, the fault probably does not lie with the world, but with those who should give light and do not radiate it. Let us not then condemn the world so readily, but ask ourselves whether our lives produce the light of the Holy Spirit or not. “The mark of the Spirit of God,” said Saint Philip Neri, “is always joy and inner peace.”

SECOND READING

From the first letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians (1 Cor 1:1-3)
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the Church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! - The word of God.

Commentary on the second reading

Paul has a strong awareness of his role. He knows that he was instructed directly by the Lord Jesus and received from him the “Gospel of grace.” He knows that he is not expressing opinions about things, but speaking the pure and simple truth. In this way, the Gospel is transmitted with authority, because it communicates the Word that gives life. We must not be timid or fear other people’s reactions: Paul received grace and writes to baptized people (sanctified in Christ Jesus) and therefore can speak openly and without any fear. So may it also be among us Christians when we engage with and comfort one another through the divine Word that forms us, corrects us, guides us and supports us. Everything Paul says in his letter to the community in Corinth (what we have read is the initial greeting) is a word of divine grace, a truth of faith, an announcement of eternal salvation. This conviction is characteristic of martyrs: they do not judge anyone harshly, but they do not renounce the truth, for which they are ready even to give their lives.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to John (Jn 1:29-34)
At that time, John, seeing Jesus coming toward him, said: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! He is the one of whom I said: ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” John testified further, saying: “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me: ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.” - The word of the Lord.

Commentary on the Gospel of the day

John testifies that he received the sign that had been promised to him: he saw the Holy Spirit descend upon Christ in the form of a dove. The Baptist’s statements immediately outline the role and nature of the Messiah. He does not greet him with emphasis, prostrate himself before him, utter oracles or offer prayers of praise to the eternal Father; instead, he turns to his listeners and says that this man is the Lamb of God and the Son of God. Two testimonies affirming the identity of Jesus of Nazareth. The word “lamb” indicates not so much meekness as sacrifice: the Jews knew, in fact, that the lamb destined for the temple was separated from the flock and cared for in a special way; in due time it would then be slaughtered and ritually sacrificed on the temple altar. Saying “Son of God” was also very clear. The divine nature of Christ is not yet explicitly affirmed, but it is implied; in time it would be understood that Jesus is the only-begotten Son, begotten and not made, God from all eternity. For now, it is important to know from the outset that the Messiah will not be a leader like Alexander the Great, but the sacrificed Lamb and Son of God by nature.