When we reflect on and venerate the Lord’s Baptism, we can better appreciate our own
Reflections on the readings for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (January 12, 2020): IS 42:1-4; PS 29:1-2,3-4,9-10; ACTS 10:31-38; MT 3:13-17
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
As we honor the Baptism of Jesus, we enter into the days of Ordinary Time that continue until Lent.
We start to look at our Lord during His public ministry. We meet John the Baptist who has been preaching repentance and preparing the way for the Messiah who is about to make His appearance. “Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and yet You are coming to me?’ Jesus said to him in reply, ‘Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he allowed Him” (Matthew 3:13-15). John saw that His cousin Jesus was not only sinless, but also the Christ for whom the Jewish people had been waiting. The Baptist was uncomfortable doing what Jesus asked, but Christ wanted to identify Himself with all the world’s people who were guilty of sin. He willingly humbled Himself as He fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament and became the suffering Servant of God. So John gave in to Jesus’ holy desire.
As we contemplate the Baptism of our Lord, we see that our own Baptism unites us with Him. We are sinners – the ones for whom our Redeemer would be tortured and crucified. More than that, He is our brother and, through Him, we are now the adopted children of the Father. So we need never fear to approach God in order to confess our faults because Christ stands with us to speak for us. Just as He stood in the Jordan River in the presence of the Father and the Holy Spirit, He is with us now and always.
