Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Acts 10:34-38
Matthew 3:13-17

Baptism

This Sunday marks a transition from the Christmas season to Ordinary Time that begins next Sunday. Before Jesus’ birth, the angel Gabriel announced to Mary and to Joseph who Jesus would be. Last Sunday, the shepherds and the Magi recognized Jesus as the Messiah. In today’s gospel we see Jesus being baptized and accepting that he is God’s son. It points to the reality that this is the beginning of Jesus’ mission. Jesus is ready to serve. 

As Jesus comes out of the water the Holy Spirit comes down over him in a dovelike form. A voice from heaven calls Jesus His beloved Son. This certainly is a clear sign that Jesus’ mission is to bring peace and healing. He stands with us, not above us.

Jesus’ baptism points to our own baptism. We too, are called to live with love and to follow God’s path each day. This feast invites us to remember that we belong to God as well, and that we are to be signs of peace and healing for others. 

Most of us were baptized as infants so we have to grow into our understanding of what it means to be a baptized Christian. As we were raised up out of the water God’s love is given to us just as it was for Jesus. We are given new life in Christ.

As we grow into adulthood we should also be growing in our faith. Each day should be an opportunity to grow into a deeper relationship with our loving God. Just as our human relationships grow through presence and sharing, so also we have to spend time developing and deepening our relationship with God. 

We not only are responsible for our relationship with God but with our neighbor as well. The responsibility of the baptized is to love God with all that we are and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

At Jesus’ baptism the voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Do we believe God would be saying about us, “This is my beloved child, with whom I am well pleased.”

What would help you to be more conscious of your baptism and the responsibility to grow in faith and your relationship with God and others?

In what ways do you think God is “well pleased” with you?