From Beholding to Following the Lamb

Fada Kizito

January 17, 2026

Homily for the 2nd Sunday, Year A: January 18, 2026

Isaiah 49:3, 5–6; 1 Corinthians 1:1–3; John 1:29–34

From Beholding to Following the Lamb

Today’s readings don't just tell us who Jesus is; they tell us who we are. Sometimes we go through life feeling like just another face in the crowd or a cog in a machine. But the Word of God today suggests something much more radical: you were intentionally formed, you are specifically called, and you have a light that the world desperately needs.

In the first reading from, we hear these staggering words: "The Lord cared for me from the womb." Before you had a job title, a bank account, or even a name, God had a purpose for you. Isaiah reminds us that we aren't just here to survive or "get by." We are "servants in whom God shows his glory." This isn't about being perfect; it’s about being a vessel.

That means your life is not an accident.
Your story is not random.
Your struggles are not invisible to God.

Even when we feel small, tired, or overlooked, God says: “You matter to Me.”

Even in our weakness, God uses our unique story to reflect His light. Your kindness can be light. Your forgiveness can be light. Your faithfulness in hard times can be light. You don’t have to be perfect to shine. You just have to follow the Lamb. When you choose patience over a snappy comeback, you are a light. When you stand up for someone being gossiped about, you are a light. When you offer a quiet prayer for a neighbor, you are a light.

In the second reading, St. Paul begins his letter with just two words: “Grace and peace.” Not “Get it together.” Not “Do better.” Not “Try harder.” Grace first. Peace follows. God does not wait for us to be perfect before He loves us. He loves us so we can become better. Following Jesus is not about never falling. It’s about always getting back up.

Corinth was a messy, chaotic city—much like our world today. Yet, Paul insists that grace is available right there in the middle of the noise. Being "sanctified in Christ Jesus" doesn't mean moving to a monastery; it means finding holiness in your kitchen, your office, and your commute. It is the down-to-earth realization that God meets us exactly where we are, not where we think we should be.

In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist does not give a long sermon. He does not explain theology. He simply points to Jesus and says: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

Those few words change everything. John does not say, “Look at the problem,” He says, “Look at the Savior.” He does not say, “Behold your past,” He says, “Behold your hope.” And today, the Church invites us to look again at Jesus—not just with our eyes, but with our hearts.

Notice something important:
Jesus is called the Lamb, not the Lion.

A Lamb—an image of vulnerability, sacrifice, and gentleness. The Lamb takes away the sin of the world: Not by force, but by love.

A lamb is gentle. A lamb is humble. A lamb is offered in sacrifice. Jesus did not come to dominate the world. He came to save it. He did not come to crush sinners. He came to carry them. Some of us walk into church with heavy hearts.

Some of us carry guilt, regret, broken relationships, or private struggles. And Jesus does not say, “Fix yourself first.”
He says, “Come to Me.” He is the Lamb who takes away sin—not the Lamb who reminds you of it. So, what does it mean to “behold the Lamb” today? It means:

• When life hurts, we turn to Jesus, not away
• When we fail, we trust His mercy
• When we feel lost, we follow His voice
• When others suffer, we show His compassion

The Lamb leads us through forgiveness, not force.
Through love, not anger.
Through sacrifice, not selfishness.

And when we follow Him, our lives begin to change. But how do we follow him?

By not just looking at Him, but trusting Him takes away our sins, our fear, our guilt,
and our doubt.

God bless you!

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Fada Kizito


Rev. Fr. Kizito Uzoma Ndugbu is a Catholic priest, theologian, public health scholar, and spiritual guide whose life and work reflect a profound commitment to making a difference—spiritually and socially. He has dedicated his vocation to serving the People of God through the ministries of Word, Sacrament, encounter, healing, and education.

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