Today we celebrate The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, liturgically marking the end of the Christmas Season and the beginning of Ordinary time. The baptism of Jesus is another epiphany, another manifestation of his divine being. The Incarnation and Epiphany announced the birth of Jesus to the world. With his baptism, Jesus launched into public ministry; God the Father announced to the people of Jerusalem, "Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan"(Matthew 3: 5) that Jesus "is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased"(Matthew 3:17).
The significance of the Christmas Season is that God loved
us so much he sent his son, Emmanuel, to be one with us. The significance of the Baptism is that Jesus
embraced his humanity and united with all of us sinners even though he was
sinless. And, Jesus accepted his mission
“to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15).
In the first reading today, Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7, the Prophet tells
us how Jesus will fulfill all righteousness.
He will “bring forth justice to the nations.” He will “open the eyes of the blind;” “bring
out prisoners from confinement” and “from the dungeon” he will bring out “those
who live in darkness.”
Through our baptism, we share the mission of Jesus. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches
us that “Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we
become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in
her mission” (CCC 1213). Jesus gave the Church (the disciples, and us) our
mission, just before he ascended into Heaven, “Go, therefore, and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded
you” (Matt 28:19–20). This is an enormous task! Let us pray that
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit will give us the wisdom, strength and
courage to get it done.
God our Father,
with Jesus you call us to be
your beloved sons and daughters
and with him you give us the mission
to become humble and dedicated servants.
Grant that we may not break
those crushed by sin and sorrow.
Help us to serve always the cause of right,
to be eyes to the blind
and a voice for the downtrodden.
May we please you in all we do.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen.
