Illustration: The Baptism of Jesus Christ by Piero della Francesca, c. 1448–1450
Pope Leo’s Angelus Reflection for 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
St Peter’s Square – Sunday, 18 January 2026
Gospel reading for 2nd Sundy in Ordinary Time (John 1:29-34) speaks29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world![a] 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness, “I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Gospel reading above tells is about John the Baptist, who recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God and the Messiah, proclaiming: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (v. 29).
He adds: “I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel” (v. 31).
John recognized Jesus as the Savior; he proclaimed Jesus’ divinity and mission to the people of Israel.
Then, having completed his task, he stepped aside, as his words attest: “After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me” (v. 30).
The Baptist was a man whom the crowds dearly loved.
In fact, he was feared by the authorities in Jerusalem (John 1:19 – this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”).
He could have exploited his fame, but he did not succumb to the temptations of success and popularity.
Before Jesus, John recognized his own littleness and made space for Jesus’s greatness.
John knew he was sent to prepare the way of the Lord. When the Lord came, John acknowledged God’s presence with joy and humility and stepped out of the spotlight.
(Micah 1:3 “The Lord is coming forth out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth” ;
Isaiah 40:3 – A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God),
His witness is important for us today!
Indeed, approval, consensus, and visibility are often given excessive importance, shaping people’s ideas, behaviors, and inner lives.
This leads to suffering and division, resulting in fragile, disappointing, and imprisoning lifestyles and relationships.
In truth, we do not need these “substitutes for happiness.”
Our joy and greatness are founded not on passing illusions of success or fame but on knowing ourselves to be loved and wanted by our heavenly Father.”
The love of which Jesus speaks is the love of a God who even today comes among us, not to dazzle us with spectacular displays, but to share in our struggles and to take our burdens upon himself.
In doing so, he reveals to us the truth about who we are and how precious we are in his sight.
Dear friends,
Let us not allow ourselves to be distracted from the presence of the Lord among us.
Let us not waste our time and energy chasing appearances.
Instead, let us follow John the Baptist’s example and remain vigilant, love simplicity, speak sincerely, live soberly, and cultivate depth of mind and heart.
Let us be content with what is essential, and let us make time each day, when possible, for a special moment of silence to pray, reflect, and listen — in other words, to “withdraw into the desert” and meet the Lord.
May the Virgin Mary, a model of simplicity, wisdom and humility, help us with this reflection.
