Shikrot Mpwi – Sunday Synopsis
Fr. Justine John DYIKUK
Dear friends in Christ,
On the Second Sunday of the Year, A (18 January 2026), I bring you greetings and God’s blessings!
Theme: Imitating the Lamb
Introduction
Friends in Christ, today begins the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. We are presented with Christ as the Lamb whose atonement and redemption grant salvation. The first reading confirms the prophetic role of Christ, the Lamb of God. In the second reading, St. Paul urges holiness of life, calling for prayer for grace and peace. The gospel reading presents St. John the Baptist as a preacher of repentance who points to Jesus as the Lamb, thus challenging us to imitate Jesus’ victimhood by laying down our lives for others.
Review of the Readings
In the first reading (Is 49:3,5-6), the Prophet Isaiah assures that God will restore the fortunes of Jacob and become a light to the nations as his salvation reaches the ends of the world.
In the second reading (1st Cor. 1:1-3), St. Paul exhorts the Corinthian community to embrace holiness and pray for grace and peace.
The gospel (John 1:29-34) presents St. John the Baptist calling for repentance, pointing to Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. John urges his audience to believe in the Good News preached by Jesus, the true Lamb of God, who lays down his life for his flock.
Takeaway Lessons
1. Isaiah’s assurances that God will restore the fortunes of Jacob and usher in light for the Gentiles remind us, the new Israel, to leverage the holy spirit to establish justice and peace in a world troubled by divisiveness and conflicts.
2. In a world where many people are driven by selfishness and individualism, Jesus’ willingness to offer his life to save sinners invites us to imitate the Paschal Lamb by laying down our lives for others.
3. We are encouraged to approach Holy Mass with the obedience of faith that it deserves, bearing in mind Jesus’ timeless words: “Do this in memory of me.”
4. Based on John’s testimony that Jesus takes away the sins of the world, we are invited to confidently approach the sacrament of penance, the tribunal of God’s mercy, where our sins are forgiven.
5. We are reminded about the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) Christ entrusted to his Church, which further invites us to enrol in John’s school of discipleship, directing others to Christ.
Conclusion
God invites us to first experience Christ’s atoning love, which prepares us to lead others into discipleship of preaching and heroic witnessing. Just as John led the people to Christ, the onus lies on us to bring others to Jesus. May our prayers for the unity of Christians in the world find acceptance in the sight of God. Amen. Have a Blessed Week!
