God forms his servant from the womb, and God’s strength is revealed through him. Through him, the relationship of Israel and Jacob is restored with God: “You will be a light to the nations.”
Then Paul speaks of being called to be apostle, called to holiness, and one who now calls upon the name of the Lord.
The Gospel highlights John the Baptist, who recognizes and proclaims that: “Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”
Jesus is the one who existed before; Jesus is the one to be proclaimed to Israel. Jesus is the one on whom the Spirit rests; Jesus is the Son of God.
Through these scriptures, God’s power bursts forth as he calls, sanctifies, sends, strengthens, forms, gives light and redeems.
Who are the recipients of this power of God? They are Jesus, and Isaiah, and Paul, and you and I — all of the baptized.
As we come back to Ordinary Time in the church year, we are called to see that the extraordinary power of God becomes ordinary every day in our lives.
God wishes to love and empower us and to bring his love into the world through us.
We are true apostles, true servants and true sons and daughters of God.
God does not hold back. He gives to us the greatest dignity in our call and in our baptismal faith. His will is that peace, justice and love will reign in his kingdom.
He invites us to be the instruments to bring it about. Our greatest and simplest response might be the refrain of the Responsorial Psalm today: “Here am I, Lord, I come to do your will.”
Father Perry D. Leiker is the 14th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at perry.leiker@gmail.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
