BAPTISM OF OUR LORD JESUS 2014

Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ 2014 Theme: Father Empowers Son as His Missionary! 1st Reading Isaiah 42:1-4 6-7 character of a faithful servant! 2nd Reading Acts 10:34-38 Jesus the messenger of God! Gospel 3:15-16, 21-22 Jesus commissioned by the Spirit! Baptism is the sacrament of empowerment through the water in the word! Through Baptism one is freed of sin. One is made to be reborn as son/daughter of God. We are incorporated into the body of Christ the church. We become shares of his mission. Today when the whole church celebrates the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are reminded to renew our own baptismal promises.. So it is right to reflect on our own character of baptism. Though Jesus did not require this, he went through this rite in Jordan. Often our character as Christians is never seen in public. We live our lives very quietly and silently. We probably will never be proclaimed as saints in the universal church. But surely our lives will leave a mark on the history of our family. So let us see what today’s three readings tell us? First one tells us how the chosen one of the Lord is endowed with the power of the spirit of God! This empowerment is to bring Justice, peace and light! Haven’t we been waiting for centuries for these two realities to take effect in our lives???? Have we achieved it? How many political statements are made, UNO is established? Have the wars become less, conflicts been resolved? Jesus has surely wrought the works of Justice and Peace. Because he was the Son of Justice, Prince of Peace!!! By going to death the has achieved the purpose for which he came into this world. Now it is up to us to live this and appropriate it into our own lives. We might have to fight for justice, even lay down our lives, it may be painful. How shall we do this by living our Christian call? Dynamically! Actively!!!! In the 2nd reading we hear Peter encouraging the early Christians to accept the sufferings for the grater glory of God! An invitation not easily understood, unless and until we become empowered by God’s spirit which permits us to discern the will of God!!! In the Gospel we find Jesus going through the rudiments of baptismal rite! Though John the Baptist recognizes Jesus. He almost withdraws the action but Jesus requests him to do it as it is a requirement by God to allow him to continue his mission!!! What a humble act???? He voluntarily chose to step into the river Jordan. We see so many our Hindu countrymen stepping into Ganga river, to have their sins washed away!! Often this may be just a superstitious action! But the belief which goes with this may help one to be rid of the evil in the person!!!! For us an immersion in water never takes place, we were baptized as little children. We might never have known this but now as grown up people. We have an opportunity in the baptism of Jesus to see what was done to us long a go. Our baptism has to become more than our countrymen stepping into the waters of Ganges!!!! We can renew our baptismal promises. We can actively renew the promise made at baptism!! Shall we pause for a moment and do so very consciously?????? Silently, personally?????? Your may use your own formulae!!!!! One lesson we can learn from today’s liturgy. Jesus came into this world as a suffering servant and for us his disciples this is the lot. Suffering service is our gift given to us? Shall we accept this willingly???? We are attending this Eucharist as parents, as children, as religious, as people called to serve!!!! How do we live our call????? We as Christians can make this created world a little better place to live. How? By becoming conscious of the nature. We are all invited to be servants of God who has created this universe!!! We are to use it for making the Goodness of God visible!!!! Let us live this reality actively!!!! Wishing all the believing Christians a happy Baptism day!!! Yours ever in the divine word, Fr. Juze Vaz svd