The one who takes away the sins of the world

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

IT was St. John the Baptist who pointed to Christ as the one who takes away the sins of the world. “Behold, the Lamb of God,” he said, “who takes away the sins of the world.” (Jn 1,29)

It’s interesting to note that Christ is referred to as the “Lamb of God,” somehow telling us that for Christ to take away our sins, he has to be sacrificed, just like what a sacrificial lamb is supposed to undergo.

This is what happens when we ask forgiveness for our sins. We are sure of forgiveness because the sacrificial lamb, Christ himself, has already been offered. The ransom for our sins has already been paid by Christ.

As a consequence, there is no need to overdramatize our guilt because of our sins. We are sure of forgiveness. And so, we should just be quick to ask for it every time we fall into sin.

We may have to do some atonement and reparation for whatever damage our sins may cause. We may still have to take care of the requirements of justice with respect to the effects of our sins, but we should feel light and at peace because forgiveness is readily available.

In the meantime, we should ask for more grace and proceed to do a lot of good which is proper to us. We, first of all, should carry out whatever duties and responsibilities we have. Even more than that—we should do many works of mercy, both material and spiritual, because that is most pleasing to God and helpful to others.

In that way, we also would put ourselves in a better condition to be protected and resistant to our personal weaknesses and the many temptations that continue to hound us. When we occupy ourselves by doing a lot of good, the devil and the other sources of temptations would find it hard to enter into our mind.

Besides, we know that whatever good we do would not only leave a good effect on ourselves. It will do a lot of good also to many others. We should try to bear this in mind so that before we choose to stick to what is good or to allow ourselves to fall into some evil, we know that whatever we do would always have an effect on others, no matter how private and isolated our deeds may be.

This is because, whether we are aware of it or not, we actually form one body or one communion among ourselves. This is what happens when we believe in Christ, for as St. Paul said, “In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Rom 12,5)

Again, in his first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul said, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (12,26) So, we should just try our best to do a lot of good because it will have good effects on the others and can help others who may have all sorts of needs.

The important thing is to refer everything that we do to Christ. He is the one who not only forgives all our sins but also makes possible the effects of being in communion among ourselves, of being one body, for whatever we do in our life.

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com