May the Lord bless you with grace, peace, and blessings in the Holy Spirit.
It is 09th January 2022. We reflect on Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38 and Luke 3:15-16, 21-22.
We celebrate the Feast Day of the Baptism of the Lord.
As we come to conclude the great three manifestations of the Lord namely, Christmas, Epiphany, and the Baptism of Jesus, we begin the Ordinary time of the year.
How often do we remember the beginning in our life? seldom do we recall our first dating, first interview, first business and so on. It is all because what we have become today dominates and suppresses the beginning to the bottom. However, few events are so significant to our life that we never forget.
The baptism, marriage and ordination are such remarkable events in our life we cannot afford to forget. It is the beginning of our salvation not the end. Jesus began His public ministry with the Baptism and filled with the Holy Spirit along with the verbal approval of God.
A person was travelling a long distance felt that he missed the road. So, he enquired a passerby whether he was on the right direction. He told him affirmatively that he was in the right road but in wrong direction.
The Baptism is the moment of finding a direction.
It is good to reflect at our own beginning at Baptism. How sincere and serious with the promises we made to God and the Church.
Baptism gives us the power to put on Christ. “So, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Gal.3:27).
Baptism offers us the ears to listen, learn and lead our life towards God. We are the voice of God for those who are afflicted and suffering.
In the first reading, God strengthens God’s people by shepherding them with tender care.
In the second reading, St. Paul confesses that it is not our merit by which we are saved but by His sacrifice and mercy. “He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus is recognized by the Father. “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” In the letter to Hebrews, we read the response. “Then I said, ‘Here I am, I have come to do your will, my God.” (Heb.10.7).
This is what God tells everyone of us who are immersed in the waters of salvation.
Baptism empowers us and removes all our fear.
Does the cat know I am human?
A man went a psychiatrist for being afraid of cats because he thought he was a rat and runs away when he sees a cat. After repeated treatment, The psychiatrist says to him, “You’re a human, not a rat,” to which he replied, “Doctor! You and I know that I am human, but the pity is the cat does not know.
By baptism, we are a new creation and children of God.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
By baptism, we begin a journey with God in the world, become a new creation, we too are entrusted with prophetic mission in the world.
We are empowered, entrusted, and entitled as children of God by this Sacrament of Initiation. So may we continue to be good and do good with the power of the Holy Spirit. May God bless you.