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reflections and guide

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

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First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7

Background/Context

200 years after the prophet Isaiah’s death and 300 years before Jesus was born, one of his spiritual disciples wrote four poems about a mysterious person whom he calls “the Servant of Yahweh”.

Message/Meaning of the Reading

Jesus, God’s beloved Son, is the Servant of Yahweh. God speaks in glowing terms about this Servant. Unlike the prophets, this Servant does not cry out and shout. His ways are gentle and kind, yet, he will do great and marvelous things - He will give sight to the blind and free people from anything that binds them, he will bring people out of sin and darkness into the light. Filled with God's Spirit, He will establish justice as he transforms the nations of the world.

How to Proclaim

This is a joyful reading and should be read as such because we are anticipating the coming of Christ. An exalted tone should be maintained as the Lord praises His servant. This is Hebrew poetry so be aware that successive two liners repeat the same thought; the second line should be read as an echo of the first. A longer pause should be made between two-liners with separate thoughts. Following this reminder will create a natural flow and rhythm.

Word Watch

Isaiah - ai-ZAY-uh

Dungeon - DUHN-juhn

Quench - KWENCH

Wick - WIK

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Responsorial Psalm: THE LORD WILL BLESS HIS PEOPLE WITH PEACE

The responsorial psalm call us, the “sons of God”, to give glory to the mighty God.>

 

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Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38

Background/Context of the Reading

Cornelius is a Roman officer at Caesarea and was the first non-Jew to be converted to Christianity. Instructed by an angel, Cornelius sends for Peter who was in Joppa, 2 days away from Caesarea. At first, Peter was against the thought of evangelizing and ministering to a Gentile. But God told him in a dream that God treats people – Jews and Gentiles – equally. The reading is taken from Peter’s sermon to the household of Cornelius.

Message/Meaning of the Reading

Although Peter mentions Jesus’ baptism only in passing, he speaks of this baptism as the beginning of Jesus’ ministry where Jesus was anointed “with the Holy Spirit and power”. These passages once again show that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah, the awaited Messiah. Christ has become the source from which God pours out his Spirit on Jews and Gentiles alike.

How to Proclaim

This should be read in a convincing manner for people to believe in Christ and that God is a fair and just God, treating all people equally. The following parts should be emphasized In truth, I see that God shows no partiality; Whoever fears Him and acts uprightly is acceptable to Him.

Word Watch

Cornelius - kawr-NEE-lee-uhs

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Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

Background/Context of the Reading

John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, was personally chosen by God to proclaim Christ’s coming. He preached in the wilderness and baptized all who would respond to his message of repentance. Jesus came to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. Initially, John refused to baptize Jesus, saying that it is Jesus who should baptize him. John eventually consented after Jesus explained that he must be baptized to “fulfill all righteousness”.

Message/Meaning of the Reading

Jesus submitted to the baptism of John which was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. For the Jews, John’s baptism was a sign that they were sorry for their sins and were ready to start living a holy life. For Jesus, John’s baptism meant that he was sorry for the sins of all men and that he was taking on our sins and accepting to pay for them all.

At his baptism, the Spirit appeared – an external sign, for the Spirit was already in Jesus from the first moment of His conception in Mary’s womb. Filled with the Spirit, Jesus fulfilled in his life what was prophesied in Isaiah – he went about in a gentle and humble way, doing the will of the father, full of compassion and mercy, preaching, healing the sick, and dying for our sins and victoriously rising from the dead.

It is during baptism that we are anointed as beloveed sons and daughters of God and endowed with the Spirit. God tells us, too, that we are His beloved and He is pleased with us. Only the Spirit can lead us to live at all times as he children of God that we are. We should resolve to maintain and increase the life in the Spirit within us.

Reflections

Are we aware that when we were baptized, God also said, "This is My beloved with whom I am well pleased" ?

At present will God still say the same thing when He sees us?

 

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