A. Witness to Jesus Christ
B. Jesus, Lamb of God
Readings: Is 49:3,5-6; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10
1 Cor 1:1-3; Jn 1:29-34
Greeting (See Second Reading)
To you, the holy people of Jesus Christ, grace and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. R/ And also with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
A. Witness to Jesus Christ
A Christian, a follower and disciple of Christ, is supposed to be someone who tries to be a good witness to Christ in word and deed. The first and great witness to Jesus in the gospel is John the Baptist, who showed him to people. But even John had to acknowledge that at first he did not know who Jesus really was and that he had to be converted, to learn who Jesus was and what he stood for. Only then could he become a firm witness. And we, do we not have to better learn who Jesus is and what he means to us and to people, so that we can become closer to him and attract people to him?
B. Jesus, Lamb of God Who is Jesus for us? What is the name for us that would best fit him? The disciple of Isaiah called him the Servant of God. St Paul calls him Jesus Christ. John the Baptist points him out as the Lamb of God. Jesus is all these. It implies for us what we have to be with him: servants, saviors, if necessary victims. Let us celebrate this eucharist with Jesus.
Penitential Act
If we would only know the Lord better, we would not hurt him by our sins. Let us ask him to forgive us. (PAUSE)
Lord Jesus, John the Baptist tells us that you are the Lamb of God that takes our sins away. Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, John the Baptist recognized that you were greater than him and existed before him. Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, John the Baptist professed that God's Spirit rested on you and that you are the Chosen One of God Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord, forgive us all our sins, make us know you better that we may love you more, and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
A. Witness to Jesus Christ Let us pray for the courage to bear witness to Jesus our Lord (PAUSE)
God our Father, John the Baptist pointed out your Son as the Savior of the world, and yet he had to acknowledge that he knew Jesus all too little. We know little about him, but give us the courage to bear witness that he takes away the sin of the world and that he is your chosen One. Let your Spirit come down also on us and stay with us, that our witnessing may be made credible by the way we live. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.
B. Jesus, Lamb of God Let us pray that with Jesus we may learn to serve God and one another. (PAUSE)
Our God and Father, we honor Jesus, your Son in our midst, with wonderful names: Jesus our Lord, Lamb of God, servant of God and people. Let these names not merely be empty titles of honor among us but words full of meaning that commit us to become like him. Help us to live for one another and to bear each other's burdens, that we may be servants with him who is our Lord for ever and ever. R/ Amen.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading Introduction: Servant of God and Light of the Nations
A servant of God will come and be the light not only of Israel but of all the nations. The Christian community recognized Jesus as this servant.
Second Reading Introduction: Called to Bear Witness to Jesus the Lord
As an apostle, St Paul considered himself a servant whose task was to proclaim Jesus Christ as the Lord of all. Is Jesus the Lord of our lives? Do we proclaim him as our Lord? Gospel Introduction: Look, There Is the Lamb of God
John the Baptist bears witness that Jesus is the Savior, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus is the promised servant of God and people.
General Intercessions
We are supposed to be the holy people of Jesus Christ, and called to pray to our Lord with and for all people. Let us say to Jesus:
R/ Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
- Lord Jesus, look upon your hesitant Church. Let your Spirit come down upon it to give it the dynamism to preach you boldly and to offer your forgiveness to all., we pray:
R/ Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
- Lord Jesus, see all the parents whose children are baptized. May they come to know you better and lead their children to you and to your love, we pray:
R/ Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
- Lord Jesus, see all the people who are hungry and suffer from sickness, torture or loneliness. Do not let the sin of the world crush them, we pray:
R/ Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
- Lord Jesus, see all the people who do not yet recognize you and your light. Show your face to them through the words and actions of those who serve you, we pray:
R/ Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
- Lord Jesus, see us sinners and accept us. Sin is at times stronger than we. Let your grace be stronger than our sins, we pray: R/
Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
Lord Jesus, let the fire which you have enkindled in our world prompt us all to bear witness to your love. Hear us, our living Lord, now and for ever. R/ Amen.
Prayer Over the Gifts
Our God and Father, in these signs of bread and wine your Son will give himself to us as our Lamb and your servant. At his table he will serve us himself as our food and drink. Shape us in his likeness, that with him we may give our all to those around us, and become forgiving, helping and serving, uplifting and encouraging. Let us indeed be the people in whom Jesus Christ lives, our Lord and Savior for ever. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
With Jesus, we give thanks to the Father for the forgiveness and life brought to us. With Jesus, we, too, offer ourselves, that we may become servants of God and each other.
Invitation to the Lord's Prayer
As the holy people of Jesus Christ, we call on God our Father in the words of Jesus himself. R/ Our Father...
Deliver Us
Deliver us, Lord, from our selfishness in whatever form this root of sin appears in us and help us to grow in the likeness of your Son. Let him be the Lord and center of our lives, open us to his life and love, that we may always expect without fear our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...
Invitation to Communion
The words of John the Baptist are spoken to us now: This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He is the chosen one of God, our Lord and Savior. Happy are we to receive him. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...
Prayer after Communion
Our God and Father, your Son Jesus stays among us to heal and to save. Fill us with his strength, that we may go on doing what he did, quietly and unobtrusively. Make us more aware that you have entrusted his work to us and that we are your way to people, on account of Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives with you and with us for ever. R/ Amen.
Blessing
God sends you now to be his presence in today's world. Go and tell to those you meet the wonders he has done for you, and bring his love and peace to all those around you. And may almighty God bless you all: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Let the Lord Jesus Christ go with you on all your ways. R/ Thanks be to God.
