Sunday Homily, 18 January 2026 - Fr Paul Rowse, OP

The prophet Isaiah sees a new vocation for Israel.  Having been the servant of God, Israel is now also to become the light of the nations.

But what does that mean in practice?  Does it mean that the remarkable perseverance of Israel will be held up for the nations to see and admire?  Will the nations at last pay attention to the tiny nation of Israel because it is now clear that they have the might of God on their side?  These sectarian thoughts do not cohere with all else that Isaiah sees, what Israel’s new vocation is for.

In the background here is Israel's own salvation, the way in which God has drawn this single people back to himself.  The prophet writes from Babylon, where thousands of his own countrymen and women are holed up as free-range prisoners to work for the world’s superpower.  There, in what we would call Iraq and far from the land promised, Israel’s sons and daughters make do with a life of agrarian peasantry and building projects – all because they broke the covenant.  After idolatry and defiance comes the purification of Babylon.

After the purification of Babylon comes the restoration, not to the land promised – for  many Israelites never returned from Babylon – but rather restoration to divine favour through the forgiveness of their sins.  Whereas the covenant God made with Israel was broken by sinning, God restores the sinners to the covenant by forgiving them.  This is the salvation which is to reach the ends of the earth.  This forgiveness is for everyone.

God intends to show everyone the same salvation which he gave to Israel.  Thus, reconciled-Israel is to become the light to the nations so that God's “salvation may reach to the ends of the earth”.  This is not the same thing as good news about Israel’s perseverance, as if it were a matter of ripostes and publicity.  This is not the same as repatriation after exile.  Something far greater is envisaged: just has he did for Israel, God means to take away the sins of the world.  And there the prophecy of Isaiah remains until someone who can fulfil it appears.

Who in Israel can grant salvation to all nations including Israel through the forgiveness of sins?

John the Baptist has the answer: the one who can take away the sins of all the world is the Lamb of God.

From John the Baptist we learn three important things about Jesus.  Firstly, because he is the Lamb of God, Jesus is the means by which the forgiveness of sins is obtained.  We know that only God can forgive sins, so the only way that Jesus can take away the sins of the world is by himself being God.  So, Jesus is sent by God to be his lamb of offering, a sinless offering to God for sin.  That spotless offering obtains an abundance of mercy for all, starting with Israel and reaching the ends of the earth.  In obtaining mercy in such abundance, Jesus shows he is God from God.

Secondly, John tells us that this man who is the Lamb of God existed before he was born.  Even though the Baptist is six months older than Jesus, it is Jesus who is the senior of the two; the Saviour outranks servant.  The one who is older than the elderly is one who existed before his human birth.  Jesus is light from light.

Thirdly, Jesus and John have reunited after many years have passed.  Twice in this Gospel passage John tells us that he did not know him.  John the Baptist and Jesus were not in contact with each other after the infancy: John the Baptist went off alone into the wilderness, while Jesus remained with his family in Nazareth.  But now, they have reunited.  John recognises Jesus by face and by fate, and thanks to John and following Israel back into divine favour, we too recognise the Lamb of God who takes away our sins.  Jesus is true God from true God.

So now, as the New Israel, we take our place among the saints and pray to Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Lord of all.  This we do by seeking forgiveness of our sins in baptism and confession.  This we do by partaking of his Passover feast.  This we do by faithfully carrying out his commandments.  To him be the glory for ever and ever.  Amen.

Fr Paul Rowse, OP Parish Priest