Readings Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Responsorial Psalm 28:1-4, 9-10;
Acts 10:34-38 & Gospel Mark 1:7-11.
Theme: Being heirs of the Kingdom
Synopsis
The message of Isaiah points to Jesus for whom John preached a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sin. In the second reading, St. Peter assures that the Lord does not have favourites but loves anyone from any nationality who fears God and does what is acceptable to him. The Gospel narrates how the whole Judean countryside, and all the people of Jerusalem went to John at the Jordan to be baptised. With a call to embrace a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, we are further charged to hold our heads high as faithful heirs of God’s kingdom.
Introduction
Friends in Christ, the Baptism of the Lord brings Christmastide – that is, the Christmas Season to an end. The Penny Catechism views baptism: “As a sacrament which washes away original sin, makes us children of God and members of the Church.” To be sure, “a sacrament is an outward sign of inward grace ordained by Christ.” While water is the matter for baptism, the words “I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” is its form.
Background and Summary of the Readings
The message of Isaiah (Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7) points to Jesus for whom John preached a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sin. He projects that the messiah would establish true justice and be a light of the nations, open the eyes of the blind, and free captives from prison as well as those living in darkness.
In the second reading (Acts 10:34-38), St. Peter assures that the Lord does not have favourites but loves anyone from any nationality who fears God and does what is acceptable to him. He contends that Jesus it was who brought the Good News of peace after he had been baptised in the Jordan by John and endowed with the Holy Spirit; went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil.
The Gospel (Mark 1:7-11) narrates how the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went to John at the Jordan to be baptised. With a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness John says: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.”
Types of Baptism
1. Baptism by Water: Baptism by water is administered by a priest or deacon either by sprinkling, immersion, or both methods. At the point of death, anyone can baptise at the request of the catechumen using the Trinitarian Formula. Baptism like Holy Orders creates an indelible character in the soul of the recipient that no human power can change, and it is done once in a lifetime.
2. Baptism by Blood: This refers to the martyrdom of the believer who is killed for his/her faith before he/she had the chance to be baptized.
3. Baptism by Desire: This applies to those who wished to be baptized but die before receiving the Sacrament. This desire may have been explicit (fully and clearly expressed) or implicit (implied but not directly expressed).
Baptism as RICE & Reasons for Infant Baptism
1. “R” – Rebirth: In baptism we are born again by water and the Holy Spirit. We are cleansed from original sin and become sons and daughters of God in a special way.
2. “I” – Initiation: At baptism we are initiated or admitted into full membership in the Church, the community of the children of God in the world.
3. “C” – Consecration: In baptism we consecrate and dedicate ourselves to seek and to spread the kingdom of God. We commit ourselves to be servants of God, to do God’s will and serve God with our whole lives.
4. “E” – Empowerment: At baptism the Holy Spirit comes into our lives and empowers us, equips us, gives us the moral strength to say no to evil and to live as God’s children that we have become (Kasomo, 2016).
Another important aspect of the Sacrament of baptism which the Catholic Church has often been attacked about is Infant Baptism. Therefore, children are baptised for the following reasons:
1. To be free from Darkness: “Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children also have need of the new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness [and be] brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all [people] are called” (Cf. CCC 1250).
2. To Relish Salvation: Baptism grants children “The sheer gratuitousness of the grace of salvation” (Cf. CCC 1250) and saves in a way that circumcision could not (I Peter 3:21).
3. To Appropriate Grace: Accordingly, “the Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer Baptism shortly after birth” (Cf. CCC 1250).”
4. To Catch them Young: Just as civic education is good for children, Infant Baptism disposes children to be raised according to Christ’s Law and his Church evident in scripture: “Train a child in the way of the Lord and when he/she grows, the child would not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
5. To Connect with Parents’ Faith: Since in the Old Testament the faith of the parents sufficed during the circumcising of a child, that principle became evident in the New Testament as in the case of Jesus during his Presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:22-40) and when he healed the paralytic on account of the faith of his friends (Matt. 9:2). In like manner, during baptism, the faith of the parents sanctifies the children as St. Paul emphasizes (I Cor. 7:14).
Pastoral Lessons
1. Establish Justice and Peace: The message of Isaiah in the first reading reminds us that amid current conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, world leaders must prioritize establishing justice and peace by respecting human dignity.
2. Set Captives Free: Isaiah’s message invites us to open the eyes of those who are blind to the faith, see free captives held by long years of unforgiveness, sin and shame as well as those imprisoned by the wild passions of pornography and sexual sins by exposing them to God’s wonderful light.
3. Keep doing Good: Christians are invited to emulate Christ whom St. Peter testified that he went about doing good, to keep on doing good by using the Church’s ministry of the sick to cure those who had fallen into the power of the devil.
4. Seek Forgiveness: John’s baptism of repentance and preaching of forgiveness urges us to seek forgiveness from those we have wronged while accessing the sacrament of reconciliation.
5. Be Humble: John’s mortification and humility by acknowledging that after him comes someone more powerful than he is invites us to remove our sandals of pride to step into the holy grounds of God’s glory.
Summary Lines
1. The message of Isaiah points to Jesus for whom John preached a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sin.
2. In the second reading, St. Peter assures that the Lord does not have favourites but loves anyone from any nationality who fears God and does what is acceptable to him.
3. He contends that Jesus it was who brought the Good News of peace after he had been baptised in the Jordan by John.
4. The Gospel narrates how the whole Judean countryside, and all the people of Jerusalem went to John at the Jordan to be baptised.
5. With a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness John says: “After me comes the one more powerful than I…”
Conclusion
Today’s feast invites us to celebrate the sacrament of baptism which presents us with “the Common Priesthood of Christ” enjoyed by all believers and “the Ministerial Priesthood of Christ” – a privilege enjoyed by a few who are called to be ministers of the Word and Sacraments – who govern body of Christ. We are called to activate the “Passive Effects” – what we receive from God and the people of God – rebirth, initiation, consecration, and empowerment as well as the “Active Effects” – what we give to God and the people of God – our commitment and dedication to a cause, to spread the kingdom of God, in our lives (Kasomo, 2016). Always consider your baptismal commitments in all you do. May the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit help you to keep your baptismal promises as a faithful heir of God’s kingdom. Amen. Have a fabulous week ahead!
