2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A - January 18, 2026

2^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – A 

January 18, 2026    5:00pm

Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton 

 

“Behold, the Lamb of God…”

 

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

These are the words of John the Baptist in today’s gospel. This is how he identifies Jesus.

These words are familiar to us. The priest recites them at every Mass, as a proclamation of what or whom we are about to receive in Holy Communion. 

 

As with anything that we do regularly, it is easy to pass over these words without being aware of their rich meaning. And they are rich! 

“Behold...”

First, notice how John the Baptist begins with the very direct word: “Behold.” 

 

This is not just a casual comment. It is a command. 

 

John is saying, “Stop. Look. Pay attention.” The idea is that the Christian life begins not with what we do, but with whom we behold.

 

Salvation begins when our eyes are looking at Jesus. John does not point to himself, his preaching, or his ascetical life.

 

Instead, he points away from himself and toward Jesus. And he tells us to do the same thing: “Behold.” 

“The Lamb of God” 

John then calls Jesus “the Lamb of God.”

 

Why call him “the Lamb?” And on top of that, “the Lamb of God?”

 

For a Jewish listener, the image of the lamb would call to mind the story of the Passover. The Old Testament Book of Exodus tells the story.

 

On the night of Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt, each family was commanded to sacrifice a lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood. When the angel of death passed through Egypt, those houses marked by the blood of the lamb were passed over or spared. 

 

The lamb died so that the people might live. By calling Jesus the “Lamb of God,” John asserts that Jesus is the true Passover Lamb. 

 

His blood will not be placed on doorposts but will be shed on the cross. His sacrifice will not free just one people from political slavery.

 

Instead, it will free all humanity from a deeper kind of slavery. And that takes us to the next words that John speaks about Jesus

“Who takes away the sin of the world” 

He identifies Jesus as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” 

 

This expression is packed with meaning. For a Jewish listener, this expression recalls thesacrifices in the Temple.

 

Frequently, a lamb was offered to God for the sins of the people. These sacrifices kept being repeated because they could never fully take sin away. 

 

John calls Jesus “the Lamb of God.” He is not one lamb among many. 

 

Instead, his sacrifice, the sacrifice of himself is offered once and for all time. No other sacrifice is needed because His gift of Himself is perfect.

 

Notice also that John the Baptist says that Jesus the Lamb “takes away the sin of the world.” Notice that the word is “sin” in the singular and not sins in the plural.

 

The idea is that Jesus first takes away or removes our alienation from God. He does this because of who he is – the One who comes directly from God.  

 

And so, his presence and the sacrifice of himself takes away or removes all distance between the divine and the human. That’s what John’s words “the sin of the world” mean. 

 

These Words at Mass

 

So, here’s what I want to recommend. 

 

When we come forward to receive Communion, let’s repeat these words of John the Baptist silently to ourselves. Let’s repeat these words and allow them to remind us of who we are receiving and what he does for us. 

 

“Behold” – Stop! Look! Pay attention!

“The Lamb of God” – The one, once-and-for-all-time sacrifice.

“Who takes away the sin of the world” – The One who comes from God and is God and takes away the alienation or distance between God and all of humanity. 

 

That’s who we receive, whose Body and Blood we receive in Holy Communion.

The Baptism of the Lord, Cycle A - January 11, 2026

 The Baptism of the Lord – A 

January 11, 2026 – 8:30am 

Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton       

 

“In the name…”

 

At a baptism, the priest or deacon says: “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

 

This past week, I got thinking about the words: “In the name.” What do they mean?

 

What does it mean to baptize someone “in the name” – “of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit”? Here is what I am thinking.

 

“In the name” means:

I place you under the authority of…

I place you in the image of...

I place you on the mission of…

 

Those statements express the meaning of the words “in the name.” They tell us a lot about baptism.  

 

“In the name of the Father…”

 

So, “I baptize you in the name of the Father…”

 

In other words, I place you under the authority of the Father. We are to live with the understanding that we have come from a heavenly parent.

 

We have our origin from beyond this earth. And we are to live with the understanding that our goal is to return to God, our heavenly parent, at the end of our journey on earth.

 

Being placed under the authority of God also means that God has something to say about how we live our life on this earth. It’s not just up to us to decide this.

 

The Father chose to provide us with some direction for living for what is good and beautiful and true. Because of that, he sent his Son and so we also say…

 

“In the name of the Son…”

 

“I baptize you in the name of the Son…”

 

In other words, I place you in the image of God. Saint Paul tells us in one of his letters that “Jesus is the image of the invisible God.”

 

Jesus shows us who God is and what God is like. In baptism, we are charged to grow in that image.

 

And the way to start that is to understand that the words spoken about Jesus at his baptism are also spoken to us. “You are my beloved son” – “You are my beloved daughter.”

 

We are to live assured that we are loved by God and then make the two great commandments of love that the Son has given us the guiding norms for our life. To help us with that, God or Jesus remains with us and so we also say…

 

“In the name of the Holy Spirit…” 

 

“I baptize you in the name of the Holy Spirit.”

 

In other words, I place you on the mission of God. The Son’s mission, Jesus’ mission is now ours.

 

That’s why he gives us his Spirit, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will move us to bring the kingdom or the way of God at least to our little corner of the world.

 

The Spirit will move us to do in our relationships what Paul so beautifully says in one of his letters. “Put on, God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another.”

 

And the Spirit will guide us in our mission to care for the last and the least and the lost in our society. We will feel peace and fulfillment when we live out this mission and restlessness or guilt when we don’t do that. 

 

“In the name…” 

 

So, with all of this in mind, I recommend one takeaway or one piece of homework for us.

 

Let’s try to recall what it means to be baptized “in the name of” whenever we make the Sign of the Cross.

 

I place you under the authority of…the Father

I place you in the image of...the Son

I place you on the mission of…the Holy Spirit. 

Amen. 

 

May this understanding help us to appreciate and live our baptism more fully.

The Epiphany of the Lord, Cycle A - January 4, 2026

 The Epiphany of the Lord – A 

January 4, 2026 – 8:30am

Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton       

 

Magi or Wise Men 

 

So, if I say that Bob or Mike or whoever is a “wise guy,” what do I mean? 

 

I’m probably saying that you always have witty or clever comments or ways of looking at things. That’s pretty much what we mean by a “wise guy.”  

 

Well, the men in today’s gospel are not “wise guys.” Instead, they are called “wise men” or magi, to use the Scriptural word. 

 

They seem to have insight into what’s important and they have something to teach us. I see five pieces to this story, and I will try to lead us quickly through them.  

 

A Star 

 

The first thing is that each of us has a star.

 

Each of us has had or has something leading us towards some goal. Today’s gospel passage tells about the magi following a star that is leading them to the newborn Christ.

 

Recently, two grandparents told me about their grandson who hopes to become a professional ice hockey player and that is his star. Maybe our star has to do with a job or career or creating a family. 

 

The question is: will our star in some way be like the one that the magi are following? Will it in some way lead us to God or to become more fully the person God had made us to be?   

  

A Journey 

 

Now, to follow the star, the magi had to leave their home and set out on a journey.

 

This journey image is a good way for all of us to understand our lives. And this usually makes some demands on us. 

 

It may mean that we leave our family home and go off to school. It may mean that we participate in a good Bible study as a way to get a fuller appreciation of our faith. 

 

Seeing our lives as a journey can be enriching. So, what is the journey that we are on right now?

 

Hurdles

 

Then, notice that the magi have to deal with a hurdle on their journey.

 

Their hurdle is King Herod. Herod pretends to be interested in this newborn child, but the magi sense that he has violence in mind.

 

There will also be hurdles for us as we follow our star and make our journey. Maybe we will be tempted to quit when things get difficult. 

 

Or maybe someone discourages us from following our star because we won’t make a lot of money doing that. So, what hurdles do we have to face on our journey?

 

Giving

 

Next, the gospel tells us that the magi give gifts to the newborn Christ.

 

Maybe this is a good test of the star we are following and the journey we are on. Does it lead us to be giving?

 

Maybe our giving is simply taking good care of our family. Or maybe we can give something of ourselves to God’s work beyond our family.

 

Like baking casseroles for Our Daily Bread or helping with our child’s basketball team. So, what are we giving to God on our journey?

 

Change

 

Finally, the gospel tells us that the magi had to change their plans.

 

After seeing the child, they are warned in a dream not to go back to Herod but to return home by another route. The point here is that getting close to Jesus may call us to change in some way.

 

In fact, change and growth seem to be what the star and the journey are all about. For example, maybe we are being led to see things more from the perspective of those who are different from us.

 

The differences between the magi and the shepherds in the story of Christ’s birth lead me to think of this. So, how are our star and our journey calling us to change? 

 

In Summary 

 

I guess what I am saying is that this simple, little story of the magi is really packed.

 

It is our story. It is the story of human life, especially of living life in relation to Jesus.

 

The star, the journey, the hurdles, the giving, and the change – all the pieces of this story probably reflect our own life experience. They may lead us to some fuller awareness today. 

 

 

 

Christmas, Cycle A - December 25, 2025

 Christmas – A  

December 25, 2025            6pm

Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton 

 

The Name Emmanuel

 

There was a prophecy about seven hundred years before the birth of Christ. 

 

Isaiah said: “The Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel,” “which means ‘God-with-us.’” The gospel says that this prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus.

 

That’s the background for the reflection that I want to share right now. It is written by a Dutch priest named Henri Nouwen.

 

This reflection is on the green handouts that are at the end of each row of seats. I suggest that you pass them down and follow along.  

 

Jesus Is Emmanuel

 

Father Nouwen says:

“Jesus is God-with-us, Emmanuel. The great mystery of God becoming human is God’s desire to be loved by us.

 

“By becoming a vulnerable child, completely dependent on human care, God wants to take away all distance between the human and the divine.

 

“Who can be afraid of a little child who needs to be fed, to be cared for, to be taught, to be guided. We usually talk about God as the all-powerful, almighty God on whom we depend completely. 

 

“But God wanted to become the all-powerless, all-vulnerable God who completely depends on us. How can we be afraid of a God who wants to be ‘God-with-us’ and wants us to become ‘Us-with-God’”?    

 

I see two very basic lessons of faith here for this Christmas Day.

 

Lesson 1: Jesus Is Close

 

First: Jesus, and that means God, is close to us. 

 

Jesus is Emmanuel: God-with-us. So, God is with us in our humanity.

 

We don’t have to be looking and wondering where God is. We don’t have to struggle and sweat to try to be close to God.

 

God is not distant and far away and hard to reach. God who transcends this earth is now also here with us in Jesus, Emmanuel, God-with-us.

 

I recommend that each morning, as we begin the day, we remind ourselves of this and be aware of this. That’s really the essence of prayer – being aware of God and God’s presence. 

 

No matter what we have done or failed to do, even if we feel remorse or guilt or shame, God is with us. God’s presence is absolute. 

 

We don’t have the power to separate ourselves from God. We cannot remove what God has done for us in Jesus – Emmanuel – God-with-us – always and forever loving us. 

 

Lesson 2: Jesus Is Friend 

 

That takes us to the second lesson from the reflection on Emmanuel: Jesus is friend and so, don’t be afraid.

 

Father Nouwen asks: “Who can be afraid of a little child?” And “How can we be afraid of a God who wants to be ‘God-with-us’ and wants us to become ‘Us-with-God’”?

 

Have you ever thought: maybe this is why God came to us as an infant? So that we are not afraid of God. 

 

In fact, Jesus says: “I call you my friends.” He wants us to live as friends. 

 

We are to do good and avoid evil not out of fear of God’s punishment. No! Instead, our motivation for living well is to respond positively to Jesus as our friend.

 

Maybe it’s something like a married couple or two close friends. They want to do good for one another not because they are afraid of the other but as a way of living out of this loving relationship. 

 

Emmanuel gives us the wonderful opportunity of living positively with joy and peace in our friendship with Jesus, with God. He gives the opportunity, as Father Nouwen says, of being “Us-with-God.”  

 

Conclusion

 

So, maybe place this green handout on the night table next to your bed or tape it to the mirror in the bathroom. 

 

Let it remind you of these two wonderful messages today – that Jesus is close and Jesus is friend. What wonderful messages for celebrating Christmas Day! 

4th Sunday of Advent, Cycle A - December 21, 2025

 4th Sunday of Advent – A 

December 21, 2025            11am  

Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton       

 

My Sleeping on a Homily 

 

Sometimes I find it difficult to get the idea for my Sunday homily.

 

I reflect on the readings early in the week. I ask myself: what are these passages, especially the gospel, saying to me today, in my life? 

 

And then, what are they saying to us today, in our lives? Sometimes it just doesn’t get clear.  

 

And then what I do is re-read the gospel and some Scriptural commentaries before going to bed, maybe on Wednesday evening. I just sleep on it.

 

And almost always, I wake up in the morning and it’s clear. Sleeping on it has a way of helping me to see it as I had not seen it before.

 

Joseph Sleeping on His Dilemma 

 

I wonder if something like this is what happens to Joseph in today’s gospel.

 

Joseph and Mary are betrothed. In that culture, this was more than being engaged.

 

Betrothal meant that they were married but not yet living together as husband and wife. So, betrothal could only be ended by divorce.

 

Joseph learns that Mary is bearing a child and he knows that the child is not his. He must have been confused, upset, disappointed, and maybe angry.

 

The religious law of that day calls for Joseph to divorce Mary and for Mary to be publicly shamed and disgraced. But Joseph sees no good coming from this and doesn’t want it to happen.

 

So, he decides to divorce Mary quietly, without any accusation against her. Still, something tells Joseph to take time with his decision.  

 

He decides to sleep on it and see what he thinks in the morning. He wakes up and now things seem clear.  

 

Something tells him to trust Mary. In fact, Joseph senses that an angel told him in his dream that Mary’s pregnancy is an act of God, that this child will be very special, and that he should go ahead with the marriage. 

 

Joseph Responds 

 

In all of this, Joseph is a great example.

 

He doesn’t just react out of anger or hurt or pride. He doesn’t react hastily.

 

Instead, Joseph takes time to be with the situation. And he gets in touch with what God is saying within himself.

 

He is decisive and not rash, reflective and not reactive. And, of course, the result is wonderful.

 

Joseph cooperates in bringing God’s Son into the world. What a wonderful example he is!

 

I have to ask: how much more of God’s presence and peace can enter our world if we respond to situations as Joseph does? Step back – reflect – pray – sleep on it – get in touch with what God wants – what a helpful, positive approach this is! 

 

Joseph Respects

 

Joseph shows one more trait that I don’t want us to miss.

 

He is a religious man and respects the religious law, but he doesn’t want to expose Mary to shame and disgrace. So, he is going to live up to his faith, but in a way that is not self-righteous and not hurtful of Mary.

 

Well again, what a good example Joseph is! Sometimes, we think that we have to “stand up” for what we believe.

 

And sometimes, this “standing up” becomes a “putting down.” Sometimes we think that “standing up” for something we believe is right means “putting down” others whom we believe are wrong.

 

This is an unfortunate approach. And it can happen on religious, moral, lifestyle, or political issues.

 

This “standing up” for what I think is true or good or right by “putting down” another is not the way of Joseph or of Jesus. Joseph today is a great example of being able to “stand up” for something and still be respectful of the other person at the same time – a both/and approach. 

 

It is an example of great inner strength. It is not weakness. 

 

Joseph is a powerful example for us men today. And, for that matter, he is a powerful example for all of us, men and women, as we deal with situations in our lives. 

 

3rd Sunday of Advent, Cycle A - December 14, 2025

 3rd Sunday of Advent – A 

December 14, 2025            5pm 

Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton 

 

John the Baptist 

 

Back in the first century in Palestine, there was a man named John the Baptist.

 

We heard some things about him last Sunday and we hear more today. John expected the Messiah to come very soon. 

 

That word meant the Anointed One of God or the Savior. It is unclear how John the Baptist thought the Messiah would save us. 

 

Like a lot of people of his day, he might have been expecting a Messiah with military skill – that he would overthrow the rule of the Roman Empire and save his people in that way. 

 

Or maybe John the Baptist was expecting the Messiah to be a person of harsh judgment on the sinful – that he would save us in this way. 

 

John’s understanding of the Messiah is unclear. But at least at first, he was clear that Jesus was the Messiah or Savior.

 

Jesus

 

Well, Jesus listens to John and is even baptized by him, but then, he introduces a whole new idea about the Messiah or Savior.

 

For example, Jesus does not talk so much about judging and punishing. Instead, he shows compassion and forgiveness. 

 

Jesus emphasizes union with God and with one another and not division. He stresses God coming to save us from what oppresses the human spirit and not from the oppression of a foreign ruler. 

 

Jesus replaces John’s austere life in the desert with a lifestyle centered on meals. He even has dinners with those labeled as sinners.

 

And to top it off, Jesus does something that John the Baptist never does.  He heals people and his physical healings seem to point to something deeper – to the healing of the deepest hungers and hurts of the human spirit.

 

“Are you the Messiah, the Savior? 

 

Eventually, John the Baptist is in prison. 

 

He has been arrested for calling into question the lifestyle of the Roman governor. And so, he is asking deeper questions about life and maybe having second thoughts about whether Jesus really is the Savior.

 

So, John sends some of his followers to ask Jesus: “Are you the Messiah, the Savior, or not? You look different from what we expected.”

 

Jesus responds by going back to Isaiah, to what we heard in our first reading. Isaiah gives the accurate description of what the Savior will do, and Jesus knows that John will understand this. 

 

So, Jesus says: “Tell John what’s happening. The blind now see and beyond that, everyone can now see a purpose for their lives.

 

“The deaf now hear and beyond that, everyone can now hear a message of acceptance and self-worth. The lame now walk and beyond that, everyone can now walk through the challenging bumps of life.

 

“Those as good as dead are now alive and beyond that, everyone can now have hope even for eternal life. And the poor now have good news and beyond that, everyone in need is to be cared for.”

 

So, Jesus is telling John that Isaiah’s description of what the Savior was to be like is fulfilled in himself. Jesus knows that John will understand this.

 

Trust and Faith

 

Apparently, John does, and he places his trust and faith in Jesus. 

 

Today’s passage invites you and me to do the same. So, with Jesus:

v We can now see his purpose for our lives.

v We can now hear his reassuring words of God’s love for us.

v We can now walk with him through the sufferings of life. 

v We can now have hope for life and a fullness of life.

v And the poor can now experience the good news through the compassion of Jesus flowing through us.

 

With Jesus, this is what it means to be saved. This is what he does for us and why we call him Savior.

 

So, I recommend that today, and each day of Advent right up to Christmas day, let’s offer this brief prayer. “Jesus, Emmanuel, I place my trust and faith in you as my Savior.”  

 

“Jesus, Emmanuel, I place my trust and faith in you as my Savior.” Let’s pray that every day right up to Christmas.