Today, 21st of January, we celebrate
Saint Agnes
First Reading: 1 Jn 2:29—3:6
If you consider that God is righteous,
you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness
is begotten by him.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.
Everyone who commits sin commits lawlessness,
for sin is lawlessness.
You know that he was revealed to take away sins,
and in him there is no sin.
No one who remains in him sins;
no one who sins has seen him or known him.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6
R./ All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R./ All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R./ All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing praise to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the Lord.
R./ All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Gospel Reading: Jn 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 the sky
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."
He Is Given the Name Above Every Name
In Semitic cultures, a person’s name holds great significance. It grants identity and serves as the means by which one is recognized. When we were children, our mothers would sometimes correct us if we referred to someone as “him” or “her” instead of using their name. “They have a name!” they would say. Saying someone’s name is an act of respect, acknowledging them as a creature of God, a child of God. In Scripture, those called by God often receive a new name: Abram becomes Abraham; Simon becomes Peter; Saul becomes Paul. And the Son of God, Emmanuel—God with us—is given “the name above every name.” The highest, most exalted, and most worthy of respect and honor.
What’s fascinating is that, according to the first reading, this name is given precisely to the one who empties Himself, who does not cling to His status or honor, who takes on human flesh, who shares in the joys and sufferings of humanity, and who becomes obedient even unto death. And at that name, every knee—absolutely every knee—in heaven and on earth must bow. Jesus Christ, the Anointed One, of divine nature, is the one who humbles Himself and becomes nothing.
Some people boast of their noble or illustrious family names. And perhaps it’s good to take pride in one’s family heritage. But the true mark of honor, the true source of pride, is being children of God. And, following the example of the one who bears the name above every name, the best thing we can do is to let go of everything; to walk with others in their pains and joys; and to obey—to listen to God, to place ourselves under God—no matter how high the price might be. Then, we too will receive the name of beloved children. Children in the Son whose name is above every name. A glorious identity.
Carmen AguinacoThe message of today speaks in two different senses of being God's sons and daughters. There is first Christ, the Son of God in a deeper way than one said to be beloved by God. John recognizes him as God's own Son, with a human and divine personality. He is sent among people by the Father as the One who will save us by his sufferings, as the Lamb, as the suffering servant.
On account of him, we are born of God, we are God's sons and daughters, as John will say in his letter. However banal our existence may look, there is this astonishing truth: we are God's children. This is not merely a beautiful word; it's a deep reality. This dignity gives us the responsibility to grow, to give up sin, to mature to the full personhood of Christ, for that is what children are supposed to do.
Lord God, Father of Jesus Christ,
in your only Son you have made us
your sons and daughters,
who are born of you and live your life.
Help us to seek your will always
and to grow in your love,
towards that freedom and maturity
to which you have called us
in Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord,
who lives with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– That more and more people all over the world may know that they are children of God, of a God who loves them tenderly as a father and a mother, we pray:
– That however different we are in many ways, we may come to accept, appreciate, and love one another as brothers and sisters, we pray:
– That God may recreate us anew every day in the image of his Son and let us grow up more and more in the likeness of Jesus, we pray:
Lord God, our Father,
these gifts of bread and wine,
coming from your hands,
are also the fruit of our toil.
We bring them before you
as the signs of our goodwill
to continue the struggle
against the forces of evil
in us and around us.
In the storms and trials of life,
help us to overcome sin,
that you may reveal to us the glory,
which you have prepared for us
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. R/ Amen.
Lord God, our Father,
you have visited your sons and daughters
through our brother Jesus Christ.
Help us to live together
as a community of friendship, sharing, and peace,
that we may bear witness
that you are our God and we your people,
through our brother and Lord, Jesus Christ. R/ Amen.
Children of God, that is indeed what we are. May the thought of this reality fill us with a sense of admiration, gratitude, and security. May Almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
R/ Thanks be to God.
