Replies

THE SINLESS ONE WAS BAPTIZED BY JOHN

(A biblical refection on THE FEAST OF BAPTISM OF THE LORD, Sunday, 12 January 2014)

Gospel Reading: Matthew 3:13-17

First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7; Psalms: Ps 29:1-4,9-10; Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38

The Scripture Text

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on Him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:13-17 RSV).

Why did Jesus, the Sinless One, submit Himself to John’s baptism of repentance? Because at His baptism, Jesus accepted His mission as God’s suffering servant (see first reading taken from Book of Isaiah) on behalf of all sinful women and men. By submitting humbly to John’s baptism, Jesus gave us a foreshadowing of the “baptism” of His bloody death on the cross, where, out of love, He gave His life for the remission of our sins (Matthew 20;22, 28).

Because Jesus humbled Himself so completely, His Father proclaimed in an audible voice how delighted He was in Him (Matthew 3:17). The Holy Spirit, too, was present, anointing Jesus for the work He was about to begin. As His baptism, Jesus became the source of the Spirit for all who would believe in Him. The heavens were opened, the Spirit fell, and a new creation was inaugurated.

If we want to experience the power and grace of this new creation in our own lives, we must follow Jesus’ example. St. Gregory of Nazianzus, a fourth-century Church father, gives us this advice: “Let us be buried with Christ by baptism in order to rise with Him. Let us go down with Him in order to be raised with Him. Let us rise with Him in order to be glorified with Him”. If we want to be changed, let us ask the Holy Spirit to forge the same humility in our hearts that Jesus showed at His baptism. As we do, heaven will open for us as well.

Jesus is ever ready to renew us in His Spirit and to anoint us for mission. He wants to make us “light” and “salt” to those around us (Matthew 5:13,14). He wants His love and truth to shine through us so that others will be touched by His goodness. Ask the Lord to fill you with His Holy Spirit so that you may radiate the joy of the Gospel to those around you.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, fill me with Your Holy Spirit. May I find joy in seeking to please You, just as You found joy in seeking to please Your Father. Amen.

A Christian Pilgrim

JESUS WAS BAPTIZED BY JOHN

(A biblical refection on THE FEAST OF BAPTISM OF THE LORD, Sunday, 12 January 2014)

First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7; Psalms: Ps 29:1-4,9-10; Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38; Gospel Reading: Matthew 3:13-17

Jesus was baptized as a 30 year-old adult. Later He would call His followers to be baptized as a commitment to Him. In the very early Church, baptism was for adults only. Before they received it there was an extended period of prayer, instruction and personal decision. It was both a time for sadness and gladness, for although the person was beginning a demanding way of life, at the same time they were receiving a pledge of sustaining grace and future reward.

When the candidates would first present themselves to the baptized community of believers, they would speak of their personal lives, their views of God, Church, prayer, etc. Then the church members would relate to the candidates their beliefs and teachings on these and similar subjects. Following this mutual discussion and prayer, the church membership would decide which aspirants should be accepted for instructions and which should be rejected or postponed. Those accepted would then begin their entrance programs which culminated with their reception into the Church on the vigil of Easter. That evening still remains the most opportune time to receive adul converts into full communion.

The baptism of children did not become commonplace until about the 5^th century. In each case the parent were to speak in behalf of their children, and had to promise to raise their youngsters in the faith, before they could be baptized. This also is still the practice today, and the modern Church is reemphasizing its importance.

The deep significance of baptism is that it is the entrance into a new life of faith, intended to grow and blossom into eternity. As a ceremonial pouring of water, baptism is received only once. But it is also a day by day consignment of one’s life to the risen Lord. The funeral liturgy is a solemn reminder of our baptismal dignity. When the white pall shrouds the casket, it is a symbolic reminder of the small white robe that veiled this person as a baby many years before. “On the day of her (his) baptism”, the priest says, “she (he) put on Christ; in the day of Christ’s coming may she (he) be clothed with glory”.

The baptism of Jesus, like our own, is viewed as a public pledge to do more than the minimum and to accept the responsibility to be our brother’s keeper. A baptized person becomes a contradiction if she or he grows selfish with possessions and narrow-minded in outlook. When we see the many social sins around us, we should feel some responsibility to make improvements- and in some cases a sense of guilt for having contributed to them.

At our baptisms we don’t see any doves or openings in the sky, but we do believe that the sacrament makes us a better person and that God’s favor rests upon us.

Note: Taken from Rev. James Mckarns, GO TELL EVERYONE, Makati, Philippines: ST. PAUL PUBLICATIONS, 1985, pages 15-16.