LIVE IT TODAY: Sunday, January 18, 2026 | Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
I am the Lamb who takes away your sin, and I reveal My Son to you so that you may live in the Spirit.
LIVE IT TODAY: Sunday, January 18, 2026 | Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
A GREAT WAY TO BEGIN TODAY!
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GOD’S DECLARATION TO YOU TODAY
I am the Lamb who takes away your sin, and I reveal My Son to you so that you may live in the Spirit.
INVOCATION
Come, Holy Spirit! Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, open my heart to hear and receive all that You desire for me. Draw me ever more deeply into the Love and Life of the Blessed Trinity!
GOSPEL | John 1:29–34
John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
He is the one of whom I said,
‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’
I did not know him,
but the reason why I came baptizing with water
was that he might be made known 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,
‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”
EVERY DAY QUESTION
What struck you? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
GOING DEEPER
Jesus is revealed not by spectacle, but by testimony that points away from itself.
John the Baptist does not draw attention to himself; he points. “Behold” is not an exclamation of emotion, but an imperative of vision. Look. Fix your gaze. What he reveals is shocking in its humility: not a conquering lion, but a Lamb. In the Scriptures, the lamb is bound to sacrifice, deliverance, and blood that saves. John names Jesus as the one who will take away—not merely cover—the sin of the world.
The phrase “takes away” echoes the Greek sense of lifting and carrying off. Sin is not managed here; it is removed. John recognizes that Jesus existed before him, affirming not just precedence, but divine origin. This is revelation given, not discovered. John repeats it twice: “I did not know him.” Recognition comes through obedience and witness, not familiarity.
The Spirit descends and remains. In the Old Testament, the Spirit came and went upon prophets and kings. Here, the Spirit abides. This permanence marks Jesus as the one who will baptize not with ritual water, but with divine life. The mission of Christ is Trinitarian: revealed by the Father, anointed by the Spirit, offered as the Lamb.
On this Sunday, the Church invites us to linger—not rush—at the threshold of Christ’s identity. Ordinary Time is not ordinary because nothing happens; it is ordinary because holiness unfolds in faithfulness. We are trained, week by week, to recognize the Lamb where we live.
This strikes directly at family life. We parents are not called to be the center, but the witnesses. Like John, we point beyond ourselves. Our children learn who Jesus is not only by what we say, but by what we behold. The domestic church is formed when Christ is named, adored, and trusted as the one who takes away sin.
Here is the quiet power of testimony: when Christ is lifted up, the spotlight fades—and freedom begins.
Build homes that behold the Lamb. Pray over your children by name, asking the Holy Spirit to remain upon them. Teach them not merely rules, but recognition. Live and witness so that Christ may be made known, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
“John the Baptist gave witness to Christ, proclaiming him ‘the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world’. By doing so, he reveals that Jesus is at the same time the Suffering Servant who silently allows himself to be led to the slaughter and who bears the sin of the multitudes, and the Paschal Lamb, symbol of Israel’s redemption at the first Passover.” (CCC 608)
LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS
In My Heart: Where am I being invited to behold Christ more attentively rather than rush past Him?
In My Home: How clearly does our family point to Jesus rather than to ourselves?
In My World: Where might God be asking me to testify quietly but confidently to who Jesus is?
FAMILY LIVE IT
Make some time today to gather together and, going around, share one way each person recognizes Jesus at work in daily life.
Pray aloud together, intentionally praying over each person by name, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus as the Lamb of God, to remove burdens of sin and fear, to strengthen hearts against temptation, and to anchor your family in peace, trust, and joyful witness.
Daily Challenge: Speak the words “Behold the Lamb of God” today and consciously offer one worry or sin to Jesus.
DAILY PARENT & GRANDPARENT BLESSING
LORD JESUS CHRIST, let Your holy anointing be upon each of our children, grandchildren, and godchildren this day and week, including all to whom they are called in vocation, and all future generations! In Your Sacred Name we claim them for You! We renounce all whispers, lies, and influences of the Enemy! We pray right now that each know Your loving Presence, be forged in virtue, and be flooded with an abundance of Your Holy Spirit to live fully their identity and mission in You now and through all eternity, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother! Amen.
PARENT BLESSING PROJECT: bit.ly/ParentBlessing
GOING VERTICAL
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Just as the vertical beam upholds the horizontal beam of the Cross, so too does undistracted, dedicated daily turning to God as our lifeblood uphold and strengthen every part of life. Start with just three minutes. Wait patiently for the breakthrough beyond the noise. Let Him speak.
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