1st Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5.9-11/Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 104:1b-2.3-4.24-25.27-28.29-30 (R. 1) 2 nd Reading: Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7/ Gospel Acclamation: Luke 3:16/ Gospel: Luke 3:15-16.21-22
Theme: Look To Jesus To Discover God
Christmas has come and is fading away today with the celebration of the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. The mystery must not pass us without benefitting from its meaning. John the Baptist sees it and proclaims: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29). Jesus, the visible image of the invisible God, is the world’s Saviour! When we look at him, we discover God and we are satisfied! His baptism which begins his public ministry, leads us to this discovery, and the readings today help us to see the true face of God our Father.
The first reading, which is the beginning of the Book of Consolation (Isaiah chapters 40-55), also called Deutero (Second) Isaiah, brings a rich menu of comforting words to the returnee-exiles of Israel. It reads: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins” (Is. 40:1-2). How can this be possible? Listen again to the prophecy of Isaiah concerning John the Baptist and appropriated by the latter: “A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain (Is. 40:3-4).
When we faithfully obey this summons, the result is that: “…the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Is. 40:5). Indeed, the glory already awaits us. It is ours in Jesus’ name. What remains is our decision to level the mountain of pride, sin and evil, and to fill in the valley with faith, repentance and conversion. All that is required of us is to make room in our hearts for God and God alone! God cannot share his glory with the things and people who control all our time, talent and treasure. The so-called gods we have permitted to control our lives and societies must all be abandoned.
Perhaps, we are sometimes confused about who God is. It happened to the Jews of Jesus’ time too! They were confused about the identity of the Messiah, and thought John the Baptist was him. However, John would not get into cheap popularity by usurping the place of Jesus. So, he humbly tells them: “I baptise you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Lk. 3:16-17). As the people came to be baptised by John, that is, when they repented and came for their sins to be washed away through baptism, God opened their eyes and took away their confusion through a voice from heaven. We are told: “Now when all the people were baptised, and when Jesus also had been baptised and was praying, the heaven was opened, and a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased’” (Lk. 3:21-22).
Thus, in the context of prayer, Jesus’ identity as Son of God and his salvific mission are confirmed publicly. Like his transfiguration on Mount Tabor, the voice of the Father repeats the same message above and adds “listen to him” (Mt. 17:5). When we obey, we are enlightened!
Then a question arises. If baptism cleanses from original sin and frees us from its bondage, making us the children of God and members of Christ’s Body, the church, then why did Christ who was sinless, go to be baptised by John? Luke’s Gospel seems to have no clue as to why Jesus did so. However, Matthew’s account has John resisting baptising Jesus and rather, asking Jesus to baptise him [John]. To this action, Jesus answers: “Let it be like that for now. We must do justice to God’s plan” (Mt. 3:15). According to some scholars, Jesus as Son of man (human) did this as a pattern of example to all believers. Therefore, he did not enter River Jordan to be made holy by it. Rather, that he will make the waters holy for the baptism of humankind. Others say he did so in order to identify himself with sinful Israel, to show solidarity with the people in their search for God through baptism. Still, others believe the time was ripe for him to begin his public ministry, to lead people to salvation, and the context of baptism served as the right occasion for him. All these explanations complement each other and authenticate the Sacrament of Baptism.
It is quite true that the voice of God speaks from heaven to confirm the identity of Jesus as Messiah and his mission as Saviour of the world. The Spirit descends on him to anoint him, to occasion the beginning of his public ministry as Jesus himself confirms when he says: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and sight to the blind; to free the oppressed and to announce the Lord’s year of mercy” (Lk. 4:18-19). He will achieve this as the Son of God, the Suffering Servant, in whom the Father is well pleased (cf. Lk. 3:22, Ps. 2:7, Is. 42:1, 53:1-12).
Beloved in Christ, many things seek our attention and when they get it, they distract and confuse us. Only the attention we give to Jesus and the things of God can refocus our vision, and wipe away all our confusions and doubts. First, we must learn to be where God is, and second, to listen to him. We must strategically position ourselves as Christians, so we can dispose ourselves to hear God’s voice even in the midst of the noise in the world and the vicissitudes of life. By doing so, the triune God will reveal himself to us in three persons, the Father whose voice is heard from heaven, the Son who stands in River Jordan for baptism and the Holy Spirit who descends like a dove. Therefore, let us strive to do away with everything which seeks to separate us from God, to create moments of communion so we may see him and hear his voice always and everywhere.
We have the privilege to listen to God in his word, to unite ourselves closely with him in the sacraments and to discover him in the loving and faithful service we render to our neighbours. While praying during his baptism, Jesus hears his Father’s voice (cf. Lk. 3:21-22). Constant, daily, fervent and effective prayer remains the panacea to the problems beyond human ability. Praying privately and communally through church attendance and religious meetings affords us the opportunity to draw spiritual strength needed to accompany us in our journey here on earth.
As we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of Christ, which officially ends the Christmas season and ushers us into the Ordinary Time of our liturgical calendar, let us remember that even in the ordinariness of life, the face and grace of God are never missing! If we search for him where he may be found, he will let us see him. Perhaps, we are looking for God in anger, unbelief, pain, hatred, quarrels, unforgiveness, bitterness, jealousy and all forms of sin. Certainly, God cannot be present in these things, and ultimately, these would lead us into more misery and more confusion. Dearly beloved, God loves us so much, and has promised to do great and mighty things for us. In union with the Psalmist, let us trustfully and prayerfully sing: “Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, how great you are!” (Ps. 104:1). May God richly bless us with his ever-abiding presence, peace and favour! Happy Sunday! Remember: #Look-To-Jesus-To-Discover-God#
