Scripture Reflection, January 18, 2026, Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 John 1:29-34

Three little words can be used to summarize all three of today’s readings. And they are very powerful indeed! They are: “called to testify”.

In the first reading, Isaiah is called to testify, as he is commissioned to be “a light to the nations” (Isaiah 49-6). He realizes that he is called, not just to deliver the news of the coming of the Messiah to the people of Judah and of Israel, but to the people of the whole world. He is called to testify to all.

Paul begins his first letter to the Corinthians by telling them that he is called to be “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God”, and he is united “… with all those, everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. By virtue of this, “he is called to testify”.

And from the Gospel of John, we learn that John the Baptist has “…seen and testified that he (Jesus) is the Son of God”.

A message this important, so important that it carries over from reading to reading today, must have a profound meaning. I believe it indicates that we have all been called to testify that Jesus Christ is Lord. We are successors in a great line of prophets and evangelists who have been, and continue to be, called to give testimony to this important revelation. Imagine that! We have a significant role in carrying forward the good news that Jesus is Lord. We share in the work of great evangelists like Isaiah, Paul and John the Baptist. Wow! I guess our work on this earth is pretty important.

Our mission, should we decide to accept it, is to continue to spread this great good news through our words, and especially our actions. I am not used to thinking of myself as such an important person. But now I think I am important; certainly important in God’s eyes. May the love that God has shown me motivate me to spread God’s love throughout the parts of the world that I touch with my life - today and always! Amen.

by: Bill Miller