[Salvation]

Sunday Scripture Study

The Baptism of the Lord- Cycle A

January 12, 2014

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Opening Prayer  

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

Psalm: 29:1-4,9-10

Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38

Gospel Reading: Matthew 3:13-17

• The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. We are now in the “A” cycle of readings, which means this year our Sunday gospel will be taken mostly from the Gospel of Matthew.

• In Matthew’s gospel, this is the first time we see Jesus since we are told he returned from Egypt as a child after fleeing from the murderous King Herod (Matthew 2:19-23). These 30 some years are often referred to as Jesus’ hidden or “silent” life. Traditionally, rabbis did not engage in teaching until they were 30 years old.

• When John protests Jesus’ coming to him to be baptized, Jesus explains to him it is fitting to allow it “to fulfill all righteousness.” Righteousness in this context means the plan worked out by God for man’s salvation (Matthew 5:6; 6:33).

• The baptism of Jesus by John marks the beginning of our Lord’s public life. His divinity is revealed and he is anointed for his mission in visible and audible signs.

• (In 2002, in the document Rosarium Virginis Mariae, Pope John Paul II proposed the Baptism of the Lord as the First Luminous Mystery of the Most Holy Rosary.)

 

QUESTIONS:

• According to St. Peter in our 2^nd Reading, when did Jesus’ public ministry begin in earnest? In what way was his power manifested from then on?

• How would you apply the words of the prophet Isaiah in the 1^st reading to the anointing and mission which Jesus received at his baptism? How would you apply it to the anointing and mission that you received at your own baptism and confirmation?

• Why did Jesus, who was without sin, come to John to be baptized? What “righteousness” did he fulfill (see Isaiah 53:12)? What do you think verse 17 meant to Jesus? How does this set the stage for his ministry to begin?

• Why did God choose this time to announce the presence of his Son (Luke 3:16-18; Acts 10:36)? Why was it necessary to be audible (John 11:41-42)?

• What kind of righteousness does God have in mind for you? What does he want the outcome of your life to be?

• How has God affirmed you as his child in Christ?

Closing Prayer

Catechism of the Catholic Church:  §§ 444, 535-537, 1223-1225, 1286-1297

 

If you have sincere piety, the Holy Spirit will descend on you also and you will hear the voice of the Father saying to you from above: “This was not my son, but now after baptism he has been made my son.”   --St. Cyril of Jerusalem

[Salvation]

The Baptism of the Lord

Pastor’s Column

January 12, 2014 

 

Do you know on what day you were baptized?  Many Christians do not remember this date but baptism was the very beginning of our consecrated life in faith!  When a baptism is performed, one of the first actions done is to place a cross on the person’s forehead and to claim that person for Christ our Savior.  All of us who are baptized have actually been claimed for Christ! 

 Non-Catholics sometimes wonder why Catholic churches have a bowl of “holy water” (or a baptismal font) at the entrance of the church.  As we pass by, we dip our hands into this water and make the sign of the cross on ourselves.  Holy water is a reminder of our baptism.  Whenever we make the sign of the cross, we are reminding ourselves of this first cross traced on our forehead, and that we have been claimed for Christ our Savior and that we belong to him!  Though we can sometimes do this ritual without thinking about it, it is so important because with this gesture we are recommitting ourselves to our baptismal promises. 

 Those baptized as infants or small children still do not have faith.  The church accepts the faith of the parents and godparents on behalf of the child, who are then committing themselves to pass the faith on to their children by their words and deeds.  The minister performing the baptism asks of them, “Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?”  Most, of course, say yes right away!  But do any of us really comprehend this responsibility?  It’s a tough job.  It is not only godparents who have this charge but all of us are called to be good examples to others, living out our baptismal promises by our words and deeds.  So much in the world can attempt to steal our faith, which is our most precious possession on earth.  Our faith gives us: direction and guidance, an understanding of the purpose of our lives, that we are loved by God, and that we know where we’re going because God is guiding us. 

 The funeral liturgy echoes baptism.  There, holy water is used on behalf of the person for the last time. As was true at their baptism, a candle is lit and the sign of the cross is placed alongside the body. Clearly, baptism begins our formal faith journey in the church and the funeral liturgy celebrates its completion. 

 Why was Christ baptized?  After all, he didn’t have any sins to wash away, nor did he need faith.  But by being baptized, Christ, the Son of God, signaled that he is one of us.  Though sinless, he was prepared to take on all our sins and failings so that we might be forgiven – both in our own baptisms and in the sacrament of reconciliation. 

          Father Gary