Homily – January 18, 2026

January 18, 2026

223

From The Pastor

Amazing people are just people who do amazing things. Heroic people are just people who do heroic things. Famous people are just people who accomplish something that brings them fame. Prophets and biblical figures are just people who do things that reveal God. Every person gives witness to something. A person’s witness may have value with a lasting impact leading to fame or glory. The witness of other people is often subtle, understated, drawing little attention. Every life bears some kind of witness to who they are, what they stand for, believe in, or commit themselves to.

Today’s readings offer us the witness of three biblical figures that have changed the world: Isaiah, John the Baptist, and Jesus the Christ. None of these figures sought world fame or fortune. God called each to play a key role in bringing about God’s plan of eternal salvation. Each heard a call from God, grasped what they heard, then acted on what had grasped them. As a young man, Isaiah was in the Temple of the Lord when he experienced a vision of the Divine that changed his life. He hears the call to serve as a Prophetic voice for God. His yes to the call became a foundation for those of his own time, as well as prophesying the coming of the Christ seven hundred years later.

Isaiah is the servant of God who reveals God’s desire to claim a people as his own, all who would come to believe in the work of God to be accomplished in the Christ to come. God’s call and invitation to faith is for everyone, all who would say yes to his love through lives grounded in justice, peace, and mercy. The call of God through Isaiah was a call to all humanity in the Prophetic revelation of the coming of the Christ.

John the Baptist was the final Prophet who would prepare the way and give witness to the presence of Christ when at last he came. The witness of John is undeniable and effective in pointing out Jesus as the Christ. John is the model servant. He humbly understands his life and work are not for or about himself. He readily points all to Jesus. All who followed John as a Prophet of God are now told to follow Jesus as the One who is to come.

All those accepting a call from God are given some form of revelation. A call from God is an action of God for an intended purpose. This is true for everyday people like you and me as well as for those who have a call of biblical proportion. John the Baptist is a prime example. Only by the revelation of God does John see and understand that Jesus is the Anointed Son of God. John can only speak what is revealed to him.

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” The people to whom John was speaking would understand the meaning of the words. In the long history of offering blood sacrifice to God in atonement for sin, Jesus himself would become the Lamb of sacrifice that forgives all sin. John continues, “A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.” It is revealed to John that Jesus preexisted in God who now comes into the world. John is not only pointing to Jesus, he is also revealing the identity of Jesus for all who will see and accept it. John confirms it was the Holy Spirit who revealed this to him. “I did not know him, but the one who sent me…told me; On whomever you see the Spirit descend and remain, he is the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.” The call and the work of John is now fulfilled.

What does this say to us? Every Christian is called to serve in a great or small way to help bring about the Kingdom of God. Many may not feel or believe it, but it is there. Your personal profession of faith is one expression of your call to give witness to Christ. How you live that out in love, service, and Christian virtue gives witness to the living presence of Christ in the world.

Who or what reveals God to you? Is it a person, an experience, prayer, service, or the love others give you? What makes your Christian faith real for you? For the attentive believer with a desire to know and serve the Lord, the Holy Spirit should be perceivable. It may be an intuition, it may be a perception, a little feeling inside to do something, or avoid something. It may be a word or action of another person, an experience, or an interruption. Anyone who loves the Lord can learn to perceive the action of the Holy Spirit.

How do you give witness to others that leads or points them to Jesus? It is not always religion and piety. It is more often kindness, a listening ear, a loving word, or an act of forgiveness. You may not get your name in the bible, but you are a living word of God. Be Christ for others in any way you can. With love and sincerity, simple is best.

Father John Esper

Homily