Second Sunday of the Year (Year A)

 Second Sunday of the Year January 18, 2026

Isaiah 49:3, 5-6   1 Corinthians 1:1-3   John 1:29-34

(Image courtesy: Google)

One of the greatest violinists of all time was named Niccolo Paganini. He was born in 1782 and he enjoyed a well-known and memorable career before his death in 1840. One day as Paganini was about to perform before a packed opera house, he suddenly discovered that he had walked out on stage with the wrong violin. What he was holding was not his valued instrument but one that belonged to someone else.  His cherished violin was made by the master violin maker, Guarneri. Paganini was horrified and panic-stricken but knowing that he had no other choice, he began to play with all of the skill that he possessed. Everyone agreed, after the performance, that he had given a performance of a lifetime. When he finished his concert, the audience gave him a standing ovation. After the concert, he was praised and commended for his performance, Paganini replied, ” Today, I learned the most important lesson in my entire career. Before today, I thought the music was in my violin but today I learned that the music is in me.”

Today’s Gospel brings us one of the most powerful declarations in the whole New Testament:

“Behold, the Lamb of God.”

These words are spoken by John the Baptist, not as a casual statement, but as a public pointing, a revelation, and an invitation. John does not point to himself, he does not claim greatness, he does not draw attention to his own role. Instead, he directs every eye and every heart toward Jesus.

This is the turning point of the Christian life: to stop staring only at ourselves and to begin truly looking at Christ. Many people search for joy, meaning, and identity. But the Gospel today tells us that the answer is not found in what we possess, or how successful we appear, or even how strong we think we are. The answer is found in Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away sin and brings us back to God.

In the first reading, Isaiah speaks about a servant chosen by God: “You are my servant… I will make you a light to the nations.” This is not only about Isaiah. It is also about the vocation of God’s people. God does not create anyone by accident. Every life has meaning. Every person has a mission. Many people think, “I am small,” “I cannot do much,” “I am not important.” But God says: you are not created only for private living. You are called to become light.

This reading expands our vision: our life is not meant only for our family, our comfort, our security. God’s plan is bigger. He wants to touch the world through us. Even through our weakness, God can shine.

So today the question is: Am I living only for myself, or am I living for God’s purpose?

When John calls Jesus the Lamb of God, he is using a deep and sacred symbol. In the Jewish tradition, the lamb was associated with sacrifice, with Passover, with protection, and with freedom. A lamb was innocent, gentle, and offered for others.

So when John says, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” he is saying something extraordinary:

This Jesus is the one who will carry the weight of humanity’s brokenness.

He will not only give advice, he will not simply teach morals, he will not only inspire people. He will save, by offering himself. 

The world has many problems: injustice, selfishness, division, violence, corruption, and endless selfish ambitions. But the deepest problem is sin. Sin is not just “mistakes.” Sin is the separation from God, the inner wound, the selfishness that destroys our peace and relationships.

And yet, Jesus does not come to condemn the world. He comes to heal it. He comes as the Lamb, not with violence but with love. He comes not to crush us with guilt, but to lift us with mercy. So today, Jesus is still the Lamb of God who takes away sin. He takes away our burdens when we surrender them. He takes away our fear when we trust him. He takes away our past when we repent. He takes away our shame when we return to him.

John the Baptist teaches us what true spirituality looks like. In the Gospel he says, “I did not know him,” and again, “I saw the Spirit come down.” John is telling us that faith is not something we invent. Faith is something we receive. He becomes a witness because God reveals.

John’s greatness is in his humility. He does not claim ownership over the mission. He recognizes his role: to prepare the way, to point to Christ, to decrease so that Jesus may increase.

Today, the Church also needs such witnesses. The world is tired of hypocrisy. It is tired of people who talk about God but live the opposite. The world is waiting to see Christians who live like Christ.

Witness is not about perfection. Witness is about authenticity. It means:

I may not be flawless, but I belong to Jesus.

I may struggle, but I will return to him.

I may fall, but I will rise again with God’s grace.

When people look at us, do they see that we are pointing toward Jesus? Or do they only see pride, ego, and self-promotion? John the Baptist invites us to become simple and sincere instruments for God.

My dear friends, today’s readings call us to three simple but life-changing actions.

First, Look at Jesus daily: John says, “Behold.” That means: stop, look, focus. We cannot follow Christ if we do not gaze at him. Take time for prayer, Scripture, and silence.

Second, Let Jesus take away your sin: Do not carry guilt as if it is your identity. Confession is not humiliation, it is liberation. The Lamb of God came for sinners, not for perfect people.

Third, Become a witness like John: Your life must say, “Look at Jesus.” Your patience, kindness, honesty, and forgiveness become the Gospel people can read.

Brothers and sisters, the Gospel today is not simply information. It is an invitation:

Behold the Lamb of God.

If you feel unworthy, behold him.

If you feel weak, behold him.

If you feel burdened, behold him.

If you feel confused, behold him.

And when life hands you the “wrong violin,” remember: your life’s music is not in what you possess. It is in the grace of God within you. Jesus, the Lamb of God, is with you. And with him, you can live a life that becomes light to the nations.

Happy Sunday