Time of the Epiphany
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Homily of His Excellency Selim Sfeir
Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus
John 1 / 29 – 34
"Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world".
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
John, the precursor, says when seeing Jesus coming toward him, "Behold
the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world". And he affirms,
with great humility, that it is about him that he has said, "He comes after
me who is greater than I, for he was before me. I did not know him; I came
to baptize in water so that he would appear to Israel.
Then John the Baptist goes on to testify to the presence of the Holy Trinity
on the Jordan. And his testimony concludes with "He is the Son of God".
The Precursor has fulfilled his mission and has testified by pointing Jesus
to his disciples.
It is now up to us to feel invested with the mission of witnessing and
indicators of Jesus. Through our life, our words and our actions, through
our attitudes of peace and reconciliation, let us show the way to our
contemporaries, so that they may follow Jesus and become his followers
and witnesses. Is it not he who told us, "Be my witnesses to the end of
time"?
Our mission is outlined and our actions that glorify the name of Jesus are
indicated, so what remains for us to do is to take seriously this call from
Jesus to follow him, and joyfully bear witness that he is the only one who
can truly fill a life.
Prayer
Yes Lord, on this blessed day, we come to you. Teach us to listen to the
teachings of your Spirit of truth and light, and give us the strength to
follow you by testifying that you are the Lamb of God who frees us from
all our faults and who gives us to be those who opt for a real change in
this world.
Praised be you, Son of God, who came to save us.
† Selim Sfeir
Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus