Sunday, January 15, 2017 Second Sunday after Epiphany / Lectionary 2 Introduction
Today’s gospel opens with further reflection on Jesus’ baptism. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and the one anointed by the Spirit. In the liturgy we come and see Christ revealed among us in word and meal. We go forth to invite others to come and worship the Holy One, and to receive the gifts of grace and peace made known among us.

First Reading: Isaiah 49:1-7
Here the servant Israel speaks for herself and acknowledges herself as God’s secret weapon. Called before her birth like Jeremiah and John the Baptist, the servant is not only to restore Israel itself. The servant’s ultimate assignment is to bring news of God’s victory to the ends of the earth. God in faithfulness has chosen Israel for this task.

Psalm: Psalm 40:1-11
I love to do your will, O my God. (Ps. 40:8)

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Though God’s church in Corinth is a fractious congregation beset with many conflicts, Paul opens this letter by spotlighting the multiple ways God has enriched and sustained its life as part of the divine call into the fellowship of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel: John 1:29-42
John the Baptist’s witness to Jesus initiates a chain of testimony as his disciples begin to share with others what they have found.