Sunday, January 9, 2005
Baptism of the Lord

1st Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7
The glory of the Lord has been revealed

Thus says the Lord,
"Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight.
I have put my spirit upon him, and he will bring justice to the nations.
He does not shout or raise his voice, proclamations are not heard in the streets.
A broken reed he will not crush, nor will he snuff out the light of the wavering wick.
He will make justice appear in truth.

He will not waver or be broken until he has established justice on earth; the islands are waiting for his law.

I, Yahweh, have called you for the sake of justice; I will hold your hand to make you firm; I will make you as a covenant to the people, and as a light to the nations, to open eyes that do not see, to free captives from prison, to bring out to light those who sit in darkness."

2nd Reading: Acts 10:34-38
God anointed him with the Holy Spirit

Peter then spoke to the men, "Truly, I realize that God does not show partiality, but in all nations he listens to everyone who fears God and does good. And this is the message he has sent to the children of Israel, the good news of peace he has proclaimed through Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of all. No doubt you have heard of the event that occurred throughout the whole country of the Jews, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism John preached. You know how God anointed Jesus the Nazarean with Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all who were under the devil's power, because God was with him."

Gospel: Mt 3:13-17
This is my Son, my Beloved

At that time Jesus arrived from Galilee and came to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent him, and said, "How is it you come to me: I should be baptized by you!"

But Jesus answered him, "Let it be like that for now that we may fulfill the right order." John agreed.

As soon as he was baptized, Jesus came up from the water. At once, the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God come down like a dove and rest upon him. At the same time a voice from heaven was heard, "This is my Son, the Beloved; he is my Chosen One."

Commentary

JESUS is baptized and sees the Spirit of God come down to rest upon him. And he hears the voice confirming who he is: "This is my Son, the Beloved; he is my Chosen One." Today we remember our baptisms and are reconfirmed in who we are called to be. Our Father says to each of us: "This is my Son, my Daughter, the Beloved; you are my Chosen Ones." By baptism each of us is given the same relationship to God our Father, in the power of the Spirit that Jesus himself knew with God. We stand together as brothers and sisters with Jesus and as the beloved children of God. Now our God depends on us, and looks to us to be the presence of truth and love in the world.

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