A sermon on John 1: 29-34
By Fr. Mike Paraniuk
HCP columnist
Our teacher asked us to share our favorite animal, and I said, “fried chicken.” She didn’t think it was funny so she sent me to principal's office. I explained what happened, and he laughed. Then he told me not to say things like that again.
The next day, the teacher asked what my favorite live animal was. I said “chicken.” She asked why, and I told her, “Because they can become fried chicken.” Off I went to the principal’s office again.
Today, she asked us which famous person we admire most. I said, “Colonel Sanders.” Guess where I am now…
John the Baptist compared Jesus to a Lamb. “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29) The Jewish priests sacrificed a lamb twice a day, using its blood to wash away sin. Jesus is the "Lamb of God," who by His sacrifice on the Cross doesn't just wash away our sins but gains us direct access to God.
God now walks with me on my life's journey because Jesus sacrificed Himself for me. God says in Isaiah 41:13, "For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Do not be afraid. I will help you.'"
The image of a parent holding a child's hand for protection is what God Our Father does for you.
The Lamb symbolizes the very mission of Jesus. Jesus came to serve you in your time of need.
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28.)
A true follower of Jesus must do the three "S's" – Selfless Sacrificial Service. This is what Jesus did. This is what you must do. The three "S's" are not easy, but Jesus demands you must do this to be a true follower.
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'” (Matthew 16:24.)
I learned what this means from my own mother who taught me selfless, giving love. It was four days until Christmas when I became very ill. A 7-year-old child should be opening presents under the Christmas tree, not lying in bed sick.
My mom called our family doctor, Dr. Coffee, who made a house call. Doctors did that back then. He was the same doctor who birthed me in 1951. He told my mother that if my fever didn't break by Christmas Eve, I would have to go to the hospital. He feared my lung infection could turn to pneumonia.
Mom told me her reply to the doctor, "I will do all I can to give Michael a happy Christmas."
Mom swung into action. She gave me regular mustard plaster treatments. (A paste made from crushed mustard seeds that was smeared on the chest to increase blood flow to the lungs). That mustard really burned, leaving behind a big red square on my chest.
Then she gave me around-the-clock VapoRub humidifier treatments, making a tent with bathroom towels. She made me take spoonfuls of sulfa antibiotic. It tasted like rotten bubble gum.
She fed me with homemade chicken soup. Only the best for her little boy. Mom sacrificed hours of sleep to make me well.
Christmas Day finally arrived. All her care paid off. My fever broke. I could breathe again. I sat under the tree with my brother ripping off wrapping paper. Where was Mom? She was in bed sick.
I thanked her for making me better. I even served Mom breakfast in bed. A doughnut with chocolate milk – the breakfast of champions. She was too sick to eat, so I ate it for her. Mom told me years later her best Christmas gift that year was seeing me happy.
Mom is happy now in Heaven. I know God rewarded her selfless, sacrificial, service in caring for me. I believe Jesus welcomed her with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Jesus will ask you this question at your judgment. "What have you done to show my love?"
Prepare now to give Jesus a good answer. Blessings...Fr. Mike.