January 13, 2019

Baptism of the Lord
Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11; Titus 2: 11-14; 3:4-7; Luke 3: 15-16, 21-22
Have you ever been forgiven for a huge mistake? How did it make you feel? I can remember a
number of times in my life that I asked for forgiveness. None of them were easy. I had to swallow
my pride and admit that all the blame was on me. I had no idea what would happen next. Would I
be scolded? Would my apology be accepted? Would these ‘severed relationships’ be restored? In all
these ‘cases’ I did quite a lot of praying. In fact it was in listening to the Lord inside that I was able
to see I was to blame for so many of these incidents because of my pride and selfishness. Would the
Lord have compassion on me? The Lord consistently came to my rescue. I noticed that it was God’s
help that brought me through these moments and planted in me His peace. I’ve heard this same
scenario repeated very often by people who have come to me sharing their encounters with the Lord.
God just plain loves us. God has total compassion on us. God forgives us all the time. Do we
listen? Are we grateful? Do we learn from these tragic encounters? What is the Lord telling us?
The readings put this in perspective with God’s plan for salvation for all people.
The book of Isaiah is divided into two parts: Chapters 1-39 are entitled ‘The Book of Judgment’;
Chapters 40-66 are entitled, ’The Book of Consolation’. Today’s reading begins the second section
and these contain some of the most poetic and powerful images of God’s compassion. Today God
instructs the anonymous prophet known as ‘Second Isaiah’ to inform the exiles to let go of their
illusions and embrace the truth. For too long they have embraced the fact that they are God’s holy
people but did not live accordingly. When they attach themselves to anyone or anything other than
God, they will be thoroughly disappointed. This is why they now find themselves in exile. Today
the prophet presents a special servant who will make things right. After years of exile, the people are
not ready to take hold of the plan God has for them. The ‘servant’ will teach by his example, not by
shouting ‘in the street.’ With God’s ever-present love the servant will become a beacon of light for
the whole world. “Like a shepherd He feeds His flock; in His arms He gathers the lambs, carrying them in
His bosom, and leading the ewes with care.” This is Jesus, Emmanuel, God is with us, always.
Paul is writing to a disciple who is in charge of developing the Church on Crete, the large island in
the Mediterranean that Paul had never visited. Paul is sharing with this Gentile Christian that God’s
plan for salvation extends to all the nations, everyone is eligible, no one is excluded. Some scholars
say that verses 4-7 today appears to be citing an early Christian hymn that would have been used
during baptisms. The instruction is that they and us must “…reject godless ways and worldly desires and
to live temperately, justly and devoutly in this age…so that each person is prepared “…for the appearance of
the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ…”
In our present Baptismal rite the candidate is clothed with the white baptismal garment using these
words, “You have become a new creation, and have clothed yourself in Christ. See in this white
garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity. With your family and friends to help you by word
and example, bring that dignity unstained into the everlasting life of heaven.” (Rite of Baptism for
Children, 99.) Everything goes back to our Baptism, our own saying ‘Yes’ to accepting and living
God’s plan for salvation. We are called to be a light for our world.
Luke today shares his version of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. He focuses on two points:
Jesus is the Messiah, and John the Baptist is not and secondly, Jesus is God’s beloved Son, which is
affirmed by a Divine Voice from heaven. Luke describes the ministry of John the Baptist. He must
have been something to look at: ascetically dressed and a powerful and persuasive preacher. People
came from all over to listen to him, thinking that John was the Messiah. John said emphatically, I
am not the Messiah! Yet even as the Gospels were being written, there was still some of John’s
disciples actively proclaiming that John was the Messiah. That is why the Gospel writers make a
special effort to say and prove through the prophets that Jesus is the Messiah and superior to John
the Baptist. Jesus is God.
Luke tells us that John forcefully announces without any doubt that, “…one mightier than I is coming. I
am not worthy to loosen the thongs of His scandals.” John’s mission is to prepare his listeners, the world
and each of us that we have to do important things. Each of us have a need to repent. We are
living in God’s world and we each have a mission from God to live in right relationship with God
and with one another. How is God present in my life and those of my family and friends? Am I
aware that the Holy Spirit is gently leading me each day to be a person of love, compassion and
forgiveness? How committed am I as a Catholic Christian to be Jesus each day? Am I a person of
prayer?
Fr. David Kobak in Sunday Homily Helps shares thoughts on prayer: “a) After His baptism by John and
before His public ministry begins Jesus retires alone to a private place for sincere prayer. He prepares Himself for what
is to come. b) How many of us pray before we begin something new and life-changing, such as a new job, starting a
new home, beginning a new family? Our baptismal promises urge us to nurture our sacramental lives. c) Prayer has the
power to transform our lives. How much time we spend and where we choose to be when we pray is always up to us.
For some, sitting in a quiet church or chapel is ideal. For others, the kitchen table, the garden, or a quiet place in the
woods—even your car on the way to or from work. Every place and time can be a good place to pray. d) Jesus is fully
human and fully divine. He knows our wants and needs before we can even ask. Jesus knows our hurts trials and
tribulations. Take a bit of time to be ‘graced in’ this winter. Create time simply to ‘be’ with God.” WHY NOT…
Have I tried…Every time I do, it works and is so peaceful; why am I choosy when I do this?
I reflect on:
• What difference does putting on Christ in Baptism really make in my life?
• How do I live temperately, justly and devoutly in practical ways?
• How conscious am I of the power of the Spirit acting in and through me How do I nurture my
relationship with the Spirit?
• When am I conscious of being a beloved child of God? I am you know! Right?
Sacred Space 2019 states:
“Over the ages, the people of God had been waiting for the one who was to come. They sensed that right
now was the eve of the great Savior’s dawn. And their anticipation was not disappointed. At the baptism of
Jesus, the Father in heaven’s voice was heard—and the Holy Spirit appeared, too, ready to be poured out into
the hearts of all who approached for purification.
A new force was at large in the world, changing our hearts and filling our spirits with the life of heaven. May I
remember, Lord, that this life is in me right now.”