We can honor the Baptism of Jesus by living up to our own
Reflections on the readings for the Baptism of the Lord (January 13, 2019): IS 42:1-4,6-7; PS 29:1-2,3-4,9-10; ACTS 10:34-38; LK 3:15-16,21-22
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Today, as we leave the Christmas season, we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord.
In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we hear St. Peter tell a Gentile household how Christ went to John the Baptist before setting out on His ministry to transform the world. “Beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached… God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:37-38).
And God is with us as well when we are baptized and make a sincere effort to live out our faith, hope and love in union with the merciful Savior. By ourselves we will never be able to remain loyal to our Lord and to lead the holy and generous lives He asks of us. But if we cooperate with divine grace, the Holy Spirit can transform us into the beloved adopted children of God. Every day we make a choice to fulfill our baptismal vows. Let us open ourselves to God’s loving plan.
Suggested missionary action: Let us pray for all adults preparing to be received into the Church. Let us also spend some time thinking about our own Baptism and how it makes us missionaries to our world, in prayer and in sacrifice.
