Sunday Reflections
Baptism of the Lord year A
We are all priests, prophets and kings
✠ A reading from the holy Gospel, according to Matthew 3:13-17
Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. John tried to dissuade him. ‘It is I who need baptism from you’ he said ‘and yet you come to me!’ But Jesus replied, ‘Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that righteousness demands.’ At this, John gave in to him.
As soon as Jesus was baptised he came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice spoke from heaven, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.’
1. Today we celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ at the River Jordan, by John the Baptist. It is an opportunity for us to reflect on our own baptism through which we became Christians and the children of God. It is an event that determines our whole existence. The readings carefully bring out the effects of baptism. One name is found in all the three reading: the Holy Spirit. In the first reading, taken from Isaiah, the prophet outlined the attributes of the servant of God who has been endowed with the spirit of the Lord. He will bring peace and encourage peaceful co-existence. The second reading confirms that Jesus was the one spoken of in the prophecy. He was anointed by the Holy Spirit and because of this, he went about doing good and restoring people to full health of mind and body. This gift of the Holy Spirit is for all who want to receive him. This was the clear message from the second reading.
2. Baptism is the official avenue for the reception of the Holy Spirit. The gospel narrates how Jesus, like his contemporaries, accepted baptism from John the Baptist. Immediately after the baptism, the Spirit descended on him, and the voice of the Father declared that Jesus is the beloved son of God. This gospel pericope brings out the basis of the Church’s doctrine on baptism. Baptism is the official entrance into the community of the people of God, the Church. Baptism officially bestores the Holy Spirit on the baptized. Baptism makes one, officially a daughter or son of God. The Church teaches that baptism empowers one to share in the mission of Jesus Christ, as priest, prophet and king. What does this imply for us as Christians today?
3. The universal priesthood of all the baptized imposes duties and endows one with privileges. A priest is meant to offer sacrifices. As priests, Christians have a duty of participating at the Eucharist. They have the duty of offering to christ their prayers and their daily sacrifices. A priest who does not connect with his God can no longer pretend to be a priest. A Christian who does not prayer is a fallen priest.
4. Baptism also imposes a prophetic role on all the baptized. This means that all the baptized have the duty of being the mouthpiece of God. They have to preach the word of God by their words and by their actions. Prophets like Ezekiel and Jeremiah often dramatized their messages. Every Christian has this double role of speaking and acting the Word of God. A christian who is too afraid to exercise his prophetic role, who refuses to speak out against evil, is a fallen prophet.
5. By our baptism, we are empowered to render services to God and his people especially within the christian community. Serving in the different committees, commission and associations in the Church is not something reserved to few experts. It is imposed by our baptism. A Christian who only comes to Church to participate at the mass and receive blessings without participating in other actvities of the church is failling in his or her baptismal duty.
6. During his visit to France in 1998, Pope Saint John-Paul II, asked a question to French people. He said: France, the eldest daughter of the Church, what have you done with your baptism? The same question comes to us today. Our baptism has made us priests, prophets and kings. What have we done with this exulted position?
@Vitalis Anaehobi
11/01/26
