Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Jesus: January 9, 2022

 JESUS THE BELOVED SON

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

Second Reading: Acts 10: 34-38

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

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah speaks about a servant of God who will be an instrument of justice and peace to the people of God. Jesus is the promised servant of God who opens the eyes of the blind and liberates all those who are in prison and in darkness. 

   *Second reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. St. Peter testifies that Jesus was sent by God to preach the good news of peace to people in Galilee and in Judea. After being baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit to do works of healing and to free those oppressed by evil powers. 

Baptism with Holy Spirit and with fire                                                                             Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. An account of John the Baptist's testimony regarding the mission of Jesus is given. The baptism of Jesus by John at the river Jordan is highlighted. During the baptism Holy Spirit came down on Jesus. A voice from heaven was heard which announced 'Thou art my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.'                                                                Hence the voice from heaven affirmed that Jesus was the Son sent by God the Father who always did what was pleasing to the heavenly Father. The baptism of Jesus gives us the following messages. 1. Jesus identified Himself with the sinful humanity although He was sinless. 2. Jesus submitted Himself to the will of the heavenly Father. 3. God the Father approved the ministry of Jesus by empowering Him with the power of the Holy Spirit.            Our baptism is very much related to the baptism of Jesus. For us baptism is a door and once we go through this door, our lives are never the same. Most of us were baptized when we were infants and did not really understand its meaning and significance. By our baptism we became members of God's community. Hence by baptism we are choosing a life like that of Jesus.  Like Jesus by our baptism we too become sons and daughters of the heavenly Father. At baptism we too were anointed by the Holy Spirit. Jesus was baptized to fulfil the will of God. We too are invited to do the same by living our baptismal promises. Let us take our baptismal promises seriously from now on. May the heavenly Father bless each one of us and announce that 'This is my beloved son/daughter in whom I am well pleased."