January 8, 2018 – To Go Up, We Must Lower Ourselves

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Mark 1: 7-11

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Introductory Prayer: My heavenly Father, you made me out of your infinite love. Even though I have failed to love you as a good child should, still you send me gift upon gift. You sent your Son to redeem me and to make me one with you, in and through your Son. You and your only beloved Son sent your Spirit of Love and Truth, the Holy Spirit, to dwell in my heart, mind and body. I wish to open my heart and eyes to all that you have done for me and continue to do for me, and to love you in return, growing in generosity with you, your Church and all of your children.

Petition: Lord, bless me with authentic interior poverty.

1. Humility, the Springboard to Heaven: Christ lowered himself from heaven so we could see him. John said he was not worthy to stoop down and untie the sandals of Jesus. Because he was humble, John recognized who he was and who Jesus was. We, however, tend to raise ourselves above others in our minds and actions. Until we recognize Jesus for who he is, as John did, we will not be able to understand our Lord, who humbled himself and took on our lowly nature so that we might see the dignity of man and the holiness of God – who is humble.

2. The Cleansing Power of Grace: John poured the muddy Jordan water upon Christ’s head. As it dripped down his sacred head and body, something happened to that water: the Spirit of God entered it. No longer would baptism consist merely of water poured over a body; now it would cleanse the soul and fill it with everlasting life. What was muddy is now the instrument of purity. Divinity enters humanity. Christ wants us to open our hearts and minds to him, to his grace, to his life, and to his mission. To do so we must experience our intense need for him, our own spiritual poverty and the unsurpassed wealth of the gifts Our Lord longs to pour into our souls. Am I deeply conscious of my need for God’s grace in my soul? Am I able to turn to him and humbly ask for this?

3. Lord, Strip Me of the Things of this World: The heavens were torn asunder, and the voice of the Father thundered from the sky above. John stood in awe as he watched the Holy Spirit descend upon the Son of Man, the Son of God. He who was not fit to untie the Lord’s sandal baptized him, and his eyes were opened. He saw that holiness is not of this world. The things of this world are of no value before almighty God. Our pride, vanity and disordered sensuality blind us from seeing the beauty of a meek and humble heart. If we are meek and humble of heart, we will hear God say, “You are my beloved child; with you I am well pleased.”

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, you know when I stand and when I fall. Help me to let go of the things of this world, so I will fall more madly in love with you. You are my strength and my hope; may you be my love.

Resolution: Today I will set aside an extra 10 to 15 minutes to pray with you, Lord Jesus, to speak to you heart-to-heart.

Homily of the Day

January 8, 2018

The Baptism of the Lord is significant for us for many reasons.

Foremost is the reminder of the profound reality that our baptism makes us all children of God, thereby making us all adopted brothers and sisters of Jesus, the Beloved and only Begotten Son of God, which allows us to call his Father our Father.

Can we then say that the Father is well pleased with us in the same manner that he is pleased with his Son Jesus? Do we have a deep desire to imitate Jesus in his intimacy with his Father? In baptism one receives new life in Christ. In baptism one becomes a real participant in the Paschal Mystery of Christ, in his passion, death and resurrection. Do we see our lives as lives of true followers of Christ?

Second, baptism is our initiation into the Catholic Christian community founded by Christ.. Through baptism we begin to belong to a faith tradition that professes Christ as our Brother and Savior. In this regard, the purpose and meaning of our lives become our fidelity to Jesus who is represented in the least of his brethren. How Christ-like have we been in our relations with our Christian community? How much compassion and concern do we show the neglected, the needy and outcasts of society?

Finally, baptism inherently includes a call to mission. It is not enough that we are children of God and that we belong to the Christian community. What matters is how much such realities translate into action in our daily lives.

We are sent forth to proclaim the reign of God in our midst. This is real and effective when done in deed rather than in mere word. We are not self proclaimed messiahs: rather we are called by Christ himself to participate in the salvific work and mission of Jesus.

The sinless Jesus humbled himself in being baptized by John in the Jordan like his fellows. His mission and life are encouraged and recognized in the blessing of the Father and the Holy Spirit: “You are my Son, the Beloved, the One I have chosen.” (Mk 1: 11)

The Father uttered his joy and approval of his Son in whom he was well pleased. This surely gives Jesus confidence knowing his Father’s recognition and blessing.

This is equally true for us. We do our work better and more joyfully when we know we are trusted. We feel encouraged with the trust given us. In baptism God accepts us and missions us with his love and grace to proclaim his love, mercy and justice.