I have seen and can testify that He is the Son of God.

by Fr. Jerome Cayetano  |  01/18/2026  |  The WORD in other words

Last Sunday, we celebrated the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. According to St. Matthew, when John the Baptist saw Jesus coming to him for Baptism, he vehemently objected by saying: "I should be baptized by you, yet you come to me!" (Mt. 3:14) Jesus replied to him: "Give in for now. We must do this if we would fulfill all of God's demands." (Mt. 3:15)

John's gospel account today tells us that when John the Baptist saw him that he was coming to him, He said and testified: "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (Jn 1:29) And he further said this in conviction about Jesus: "A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me. I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel."

Let us try to decipher what Jesus is trying to say here. John accepted that Jesus is the Lamb of God. He prophesies that Jesus is destined to die like a lamb who is led to slaughter in order to expiate the sins of the world. And he further accepted that Jesus is the Divine Word, the Son of God and Wisdom of God who existed before him, thus Jesus is much greater than he, because He is God. And when he baptized Jesus, he saw the Spirit of God descending upon him, and he remains in him. Thus, he accepts and testifies that Jesus will be the one who will baptize in the Spirit.

How does this gospel account inspire, convict and challenge us? First, we have to express our gratitude to Jesus for being the "Lamb of God" every time we attend and celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. John the Baptist has prophesied that Jesus is destined to die on cross like a lamb being led to slaughter to expiate our sins. He did this out of obedience to his Father's will. Indeed, He is the Lamb of God because He is meek, humble and obedient to God, His Father. If we accept Him as truly the Lamb of God, then we must strive our best to be meek, humble and obedient like Him. And if He has expiated our sins and if He continues to expiate our sins every time we attend the Mass, then we must avoid our sins at all cost.

Second, John has witnessed and testified that when Jesus was baptized the Holy Spirit descended upon him and remained in him. So, when we were baptized and confirmed...we were anointed and sealed in the Holy Spirit in and through Jesus Christ. Thus, we have become God's temple. The Holy Spirit is with us! Let us not desecrate our body by our impure thoughts and actions. Let us try to make it pure and holy at all times. Be mindful that it is the Holy Spirit who the source of holiness. We could not become holy and righteous and just without the help of the Holy Spirit. We have to call out to Him at all times. Let us allow him to inspire, teach, convict, educate, console and strengthen us.

Finally, John has accepted that he does not know Jesus, though he was faithful to his mission in preparing to welcome Jesus by preaching the message of repentance and introducing the ritual of Baptism. We too have a little or limited knowledge of Jesus. St. Jerome says: "ignorance of the scripture is ignorance of Christ." Let us read the scriptures especially the gospel passage every day. We truly know Him when we try to be like Him.

January 15 is my one-year anniversary at OLV and STR as parish administrator. I thank God for the opportunity to serve you all, my parishioners. I thank Bishop John Dolan, D.D. for the trust and confidence that he has given me. Let us then work together to achieve what God wants in whatever role or capacity or lifestyle that we have, which is to be holy. Let's use all the possible means and ways that God has provided for us to attain this. Let us not waste the graces that He has given us.