The 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A
Yes our Lord has come to us and we have celebrated the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and the whole Christmas season, so what’s next? Today's gospel reading from the gospel of Saint John 1:29-34 shows us what should come next as it gives us the story of John the Baptist witnessing to Christ. Witnessing to Christ is our next step of action and it seems to be the theme of today's gospel reading as John the Baptist emphasizes with these words "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” By stating “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world," John the Baptist not only reminds us of what it means to truly and sincerely witness to Christ, but he also points out to us that the best way to witness to Christ is by Repentance. Hence, since Repentance is the best way to witness to Christ, what does it entail? Or better put, how do we repent and go back to Christ?
Repentance is defined as a profound and sincere change of mind, heart, and action, involving regret for wrongdoing, a turning away from sin, and a commitment to a new, more righteous path, often seen in religious contexts as turning toward God. From this definition or explanation, we can infer that in order to truly, sincerely, effectively and efficiently witness to Christ here on earth, we have to repent and go back to God first. So what does this call to Repentance or going back to God entail? It entails: (1) the practice of an Examination of Conscience which helps us to change of our mind from sining; (2) a Call to Contrition, which helps us change our hearts; (3) and a sincere Call of Reformation in our spiritual lives to change our actions to a more righteous path.
What is An Examination of Conscience? An Examination of Conscience is a call to repentance which involves reflecting prayerfully on our thoughts, words, and deeds in order to identify any sins. How often do we take a moment out of our daily lives especially after our busy day or before we go to bed and reflect on how we have lived our lives as Christians? How often do reflect on how our thoughts, words and deeds show Christ to others?
What is A Call to Contrition? A Call to Contrition is the sorrow of the soul for wrong done, and a remorse of conscience. It is a real pain and bitterness of soul together with a hatred and horror for sin committed; and this hatred for sin leads to the resolve to sin no more. How often do we show true remorse for our sins because of how it offends God? How often do we show bitterness and hatred for our sins especially because it destroys our relationship with God?
What is A Call to Reformation in our spiritual lives? A Call to Reformation in our spiritual lives refers to putting into practice various virtues, processes and practices that will help us repent, change our lives and spiritual lifestyle and come closer to God. So how have we strived to live out the gospel of Christ? How are we truly making changes to be faithful disciples of Christ and what changes are we making?
My dear brothers and sisters, let us pray to God in today’s Eucharistic celebration for the grace and assistance to truly witness to Him by going back to Him through the practice of an Examination of Conscience, a Call to true Contrition and a sincere Call of Reformation in our spiritual lives. Amen!
