The Lamb of God

I was back talking about bell-buttons again today.  I like the image, and today I did not include navel lint analogies.  I figure when we are so self-absorbed, so narcissistic, self-focused, we are, as it were, curled into ourselves, and the only thing that we can see is our navel.  So we spend a lot of time contemplating our belly button and miss most of the joys and concerns of the world today.  Paulist Father Frank DeSiano speaks about the post modern culture in which we live in is so self-focused, that it cannot contemplate the possibilities of a 'natural law,' or an objective truth.  Every one's morality is the "correct" morality.

So when it comes to life or justice issues, we have many peoples, or groups of peoples, declaring their version as the proper possession of truth.  What often occurs is that the loudest person(s) carries the day.  The understanding of 'right' or 'wrong' is always an opinion.

So here we have John the Baptist who is a witness to the events of Jesus' Baptism, but also most importantly an observer of the mission and ministry of Jesus.  Like the prophets of the Old Testament John recognizes the absolute value of seeking and adhering to the to the covenant of God.  The ability to recognize Jesus as the suffering Messiah indicates that John has in his life pondered the relationship of love and mercy which God has with us.  His insistence on conversion and transformation would suggest that his faith is beyond just the basics. 

Pope Francis has ruffled more than a few feathers, and pulled a few chains as well.  Right now most everyone is in love with him.  But Francis is blunt that our Christian lifestyle needs to be profound.  The ongoing acceptance of violence, poverty, and the destruction of life is beyond deplorable.  Discussion boards and political rhetoric are more often that not hate-filled and disrespectful. 

Not only do we need to have the ability to recognize the Lamb of God, but by our witness we also point him out to the world.  Our lifestyle celebrate the joys of life, and offers solace and compassion to the hurts and neediness of a Sinful world.  The signs and symbols at our own baptism challenge us to look beyond our belly-buttons, to see the beloved children of God.