John the Baptist is the herald of One who will bring good news.  John’s announcement sets the stage for the ministry of Jesus as he takes up his mission of preaching forgiveness and calling his disciples to follow in his footsteps.  This too is our mission:  to seek the forgiveness of the Lord and to be willing to forgive with the same spirit as he did.  The exclamation of John appears in our celebration of mass as we prepare for communion:  “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world.”