mamabishop: Second Sunday After the Epiphany

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Second Sunday After the Epiphany - January 18, 2026

Second Sunday After the Epiphany

John saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter). John 1:29-42

Jesus said to them, "come and see." He says to us, "come and see." We live in times when we want to hide our eyes, or we look and see only sadness and destruction. Jesus lived in a time of occupation, a time of tyrants and great bloodshed. John claimed that Jesus was the Lamb of God, and Jesus changed Simon's name to Peter. Lots of big claims and name changes. The truth is that after this moment the disciples and others followed Jesus, saw many miracles and still had questions and doubt. Jesus tells us now to come and see. Come and see the new life, the forgiveness, the servanthood that is happening across our land and the world. Despite the callousness and cruelty, there are people and communities acting out the love of Christ in the darkest places. May we become those who show that love so fully that people say, "come and see."

Gracious Creator, you are with us in all times

when the joy and peace bubble through us

and when the skies darken and no light comes.