Fr. Joeven Matugas sx
"I am well pleased" -
Today is the Sunday of the Baptism of the Lord. The Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord as a feast. This feast concludes the Christmas season and so we now go back to the ordinary time. This is one of the most significant events in the life and ministry of Jesus. After his birth - Christmas Day - and the Epiphany, Baptism follows logically. In this momentous event Jesus continues to manifest Himself to the people. Peter, in the house of Cornelius, the Roman centurion, stated that God had anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power and because God was with Him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil (Acts 10:38).
The Lord, in a way, submitted to John to be baptized. He embraced and accepted our human condition. He accepted our sinful and wounded humanity. He immersed himself into the water of our sins, though He lived among us without sin. He revealed to us the unconditional love of the Father. The Father was well pleased.
As baptized people we are reminded of our own baptism. We have the task to lead people to the faith. We have to witness our rebirth as a new creation in Jesus.
Our baptism gives us a new identity, a new sonship in God. It is not just a mere ritual of pouring water on our head. It is a wonderful event that changes our life. God has anointed us, too, through the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to do good, to carry out the mission entrusted to us and help those who have fallen away.
"I am well pleased" -
Today is the Sunday of the Baptism of the Lord. The Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord as a feast. This feast concludes the Christmas season and so we now go back to the ordinary time. This is one of the most significant events in the life and ministry of Jesus. After his birth - Christmas Day - and the Epiphany, Baptism follows logically. In this momentous event Jesus continues to manifest Himself to the people. Peter, in the house of Cornelius, the Roman centurion, stated that God had anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power and because God was with Him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil (Acts 10:38).
The Lord, in a way, submitted to John to be baptized. He embraced and accepted our human condition. He accepted our sinful and wounded humanity. He immersed himself into the water of our sins, though He lived among us without sin. He revealed to us the unconditional love of the Father. The Father was well pleased.
As baptized people we are reminded of our own baptism. We have the task to lead people to the faith. We have to witness our rebirth as a new creation in Jesus.
Our baptism gives us a new identity, a new sonship in God. It is not just a mere ritual of pouring water on our head. It is a wonderful event that changes our life. God has anointed us, too, through the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to do good, to carry out the mission entrusted to us and help those who have fallen away.