All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. — Psalm 98:3

Mass Readings: 1 John 2:29—3:6 / John 1:29-34 

Son Who Saves  

In biblical times names were far more than identification tags; they both represented and revealed character. “Jesus” (derived from the Hebrew “Joshua”) means “He saves.” 

Today’s Gospel passage begins and ends with titles bestowed on Jesus by John the Baptist: “Lamb of God” and “Son of God.” Lambs without blemish were the daily sin offerings required of every devout Jew. John points to Jesus as the truly spotless, once-for-all lamb, who would be sacrificed for the sin of all humanity. But Jesus is not only fully and perfectly human, He is also fully God. It is because He is “Son of God” that Jesus is able both to save us from sin and to empower us by His Spirit to be more and more “like him” (1 Jn 3:2). 

Prayer: Most Holy Lord, moment by moment, help me become more and more like You.