Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Cycle A, Year II)

Community Word:Jesus is the revelation of God’s Truth and Light to the world.

Theme:We reveal Jesus to the world when we fulfill our baptismal vows.

Promise:“…whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:35)

Reflection:
The Feast of the Baptism of Jesus marks the end of Christmas season and the beginning of the Ordinary Time in the Church calendar. In many cultures, the feast coincides with the end of Christmas break, the return to work and to the regular rhythm of life. Some of us were fortunate enough to have some relaxation in the onset of Christmas, precious time to reflect on the past year, alone or with loved ones, to set new goals for the year ahead and to move into the “ordinary time” with renewed strength and vigor. For those affected by recent natural and man-made calamities, earthquake, typhoons, fires, etc. Ordinary Time will be anything but ordinary. Their struggles to rebuild their lives and homes invite us to open our hearts and to share our resources in order that their sufferings might be eased or alleviated.

The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, His second manifestation or epiphany, where our Lord submits to John’s baptism, fleshes out what the hymn from Philippians says: Christ “though he was in the form of God did not regard equality with God something to be grasped,” (Phil 2:6). Jesus’ baptism tells us that God’s chosen way of being with us is not that awesome for the Ruler of the universe, but that He chooses solidarity with us in all our weaknesses. He wants to fully identify with us who are sinners, who are marginalized, oppressed, pushed aside. In the crowd who came to follow John and to answer his call to repent and be baptized, there were people of different class, order and nationality. The baptism of Jesus depicts the “Emmanuel” as one with us, always with us.

In the Eastern Church, this feast is called “Theophany” because at the baptism of Christ, God appeared in three persons. Here, we encounter Jesus as Emmanuel, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him and the voice of God the Father affirming Him. The Holy Trinity is manifested in this humble scene where Jesus, the Son of God, submits to John’s baptism. Many of the events which accompanied Christ’s baptism are precursors of what happens at our baptism. In our baptism, the Holy Trinity takes its abode in our soul. In same token that the Father proclaims Jesus as His Beloved Son, we are also publicly declared by God as His children, His sons and daughters. Just as the heavens opened then, in our baptism all the heavens opens to us and we become heirs of God’s holy dwelling.

By virtue of baptism, we become Christians and we are called to live as another Christ on earth and it is our duty to bring the message of God’s love and mercy to all the people around us. As baptized people and adopted children of God, we are obligated to share the Good News of salvation through our own actions and words. We are commissioned to be living witnesses of the Gospel and serve as light and guided for our families, community brothers and sisters, neighbors and even strangers.

We are constantly asked to reveal Jesus to the world by fulfilling our baptismal vows to live as God’s children according to His graces, rejecting sin of every kind and embracing the spirit of love, freedom and righteousness.As we do the Lord’s will by doing good, He promises that “….whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. “ (Ac 10:35).Like Jesus, we will be His beloved sons and daughters pleasing to Him.

Prayer:
Loving Father, as Christians baptized in the Blessed Trinity, grant us the grace to always fulfill our baptismal vows in rejecting all works and empty promises of the devil. Grant, we pray, that as Your children we may always live according to Your loving precepts, living uprightly, acceptable and pleasing to You. Amen.

Reflection Guide Questions:
1. In my present situation, in what ways am I revealing Jesus to others?

2. What physical and spiritual means do I employ in order to avoid the occasion of sin?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
January 12, 2020 (Sun)  – Is 42:1-4, 6-7/Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10/Acts 10:34-38/Mt 3:13-17
January 13, 2020 (Mon) – 1Sm 1:1-8/Ps 116:12, 13, 14-17, 18, 19/Mk 1:14-20
January 14, 2020 (Tue) – 1Sm 1:9-20/1Sm 2:1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8/Mk 1:21-28
January 15, 2020 (Wed) – 1Sm 3:1-10, 19, 20/Ps 40:2, 5, 7,-10/Mk 1:29-39
January 16, 2020 (Thu) – 1Sm 4:1-11/Ps 44:10, 11, 14, 15, 24, 25/Mk 1:40-45
January 17, 2020 (Fri) – 1Sm 8:4-7, 10-22/Ps 89:16-17, 18, 19/Mk 2:1-12
January 18, 2020 (Sat) – 1Sm 9:1-4, 17-19, 10:1/Ps 21:2-7/Mk 2:13-17

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”