The Lamb of God. As I prayed with the image of the Lamb of God, my mind first went to the Passover lamb. From there, my thoughts turned to the binding of Isaac.

“The one who came through water and blood.” Sitting with the words longer, another image came to mind: the water and blood flowing from Jesus’ side on the cross. In that moment, baptism, Eucharist, and crucifixion seemed to converge. The water that gives new life and the blood that sustains it both flow from Christ Himself.

“Those who love God must also love their brother and sister.” We are told that we love because God loved us first, and that love for God cannot be separated from love for others. The words are simple, but they leave little room for excuse.

“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness.” John describes himself not as the Word, but as the voice. He points beyond himself. The voice prepares the way, but it is the Word who gives meaning and life.