"THE BELOVED SON"
First Reading : Isaiah: 42: 1-4, 6-7
Second Reading: Acts 10: 34-38
Gospel Reading; Mark 1: 7-11
* First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. The Prophet speaks of a new and permanent relationship which God will make with all humanity through His servant. Isaiah gives the picture of a true servant of God . He is gentle and humble of heart, who is dedicated to his mission, which is to bring about true liberation to all who are oppressed. This prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled in Jesus.
* Second reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. The author says that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with Holy Spirit and with power so that he could fulfill the mission entrusted to Him. In this passage we have a description of how the early Church understood baptism . Like Jesus, a baptized person is seen to be anointed with Holy Spirit and with power from above.
"Baptism of Jesus at Jordan"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. It gives details of the Baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. With His Baptism , Jesus' true identity is revealed and he is given power for the mission he is about to begin. Jesus was baptized to fulfill God's plan of salvation. Jesus did not have to be baptized to be free from sin unlike any of us because he was never under the power of sin.
When Jesus came out of the water, the heavens were opened and the Spirit of the Lord descended on Him and a voice from heaven proclaimed ,"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased". Hence, Jesus is seen as one in whom the prophecies of the Old Testament are fulfilled. It is a declaration that in Jesus, all the hopes and longings are accomplished. Jesus is the Son of God and the Spirit of God rested on Him. He will begin His ministry with Father's authority and love.
Through baptism, we too are united with Jesus and share in His Mission.
"In baptism, the form of Christ's death is impressed upon his own" Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
"Baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith" - W. Nee
"Just as a man cannot live in the flesh unless he is born in the flesh, even so man cannot have the spiritual life of grace unless he is born again spiritually. This regeneration is effected by Baptism."- St. Thomas Aquinas.
First Reading : Isaiah: 42: 1-4, 6-7
Second Reading: Acts 10: 34-38
Gospel Reading; Mark 1: 7-11
* First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. The Prophet speaks of a new and permanent relationship which God will make with all humanity through His servant. Isaiah gives the picture of a true servant of God . He is gentle and humble of heart, who is dedicated to his mission, which is to bring about true liberation to all who are oppressed. This prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled in Jesus.
* Second reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. The author says that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with Holy Spirit and with power so that he could fulfill the mission entrusted to Him. In this passage we have a description of how the early Church understood baptism . Like Jesus, a baptized person is seen to be anointed with Holy Spirit and with power from above.
"Baptism of Jesus at Jordan"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. It gives details of the Baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. With His Baptism , Jesus' true identity is revealed and he is given power for the mission he is about to begin. Jesus was baptized to fulfill God's plan of salvation. Jesus did not have to be baptized to be free from sin unlike any of us because he was never under the power of sin.
When Jesus came out of the water, the heavens were opened and the Spirit of the Lord descended on Him and a voice from heaven proclaimed ,"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased". Hence, Jesus is seen as one in whom the prophecies of the Old Testament are fulfilled. It is a declaration that in Jesus, all the hopes and longings are accomplished. Jesus is the Son of God and the Spirit of God rested on Him. He will begin His ministry with Father's authority and love.
Through baptism, we too are united with Jesus and share in His Mission.
"In baptism, the form of Christ's death is impressed upon his own" Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
"Baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith" - W. Nee
"Just as a man cannot live in the flesh unless he is born in the flesh, even so man cannot have the spiritual life of grace unless he is born again spiritually. This regeneration is effected by Baptism."- St. Thomas Aquinas.
