Reflection (11/1/15)
THE FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD, YEAR B.
Is. 42:1-4,6f; Ps. 28:1-4, 9-10; Acts 10:34-38; Mark 1:7-11
Rev. Fr. Michael Melvin Kofi Mensah
THE FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD, YEAR B.
Is. 42:1-4,6f; Ps. 28:1-4, 9-10; Acts 10:34-38; Mark 1:7-11
Rev. Fr. Michael Melvin Kofi Mensah
Dearly beloved in the lord, today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the moment in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ when He being God, allow Baptism at the hands of a human, John the Baptist. Did He really need Baptism? This calls for reflection.
Baptism is an acknowledgement of sin and the expression of repentance. Jesus, being God, was sinless so He did not need Baptism for the repentance of sin. Even John the Baptist was reluctant to baptise Him because he acknowledged Him as one who is mightier than him. (Mark 1:7).
But why did Jesus submit Himself to Baptism at the hands of John the Baptizer? Probably, He allowed baptism for the forgiveness of sins, NOT HIS SINS, but the sins of others. His Baptism brings about His solidarity with us in our sinful condition.
Jesus’ Baptism was a moment when He passed from the relatively obscurity of village life of Nazareth unto that public stage of His mission of proclaiming God’s kingdom. Up to now, few knew who He was. At His Baptism, many people came to know His identity (Mark 1:10-11) and He would show the people how to live their lives as God wanted.
Dear family of God, kindly journey with me through the Readings of today. The First Reading, taken from the Book of Isaiah 42:1-4; 6-7, forms part of Second-Isaiah (Chapters 40-55). There, we find the Oracles which describe a ’’Servant of Yahweh’’ who is to come. He would have the qualities of a King, Priest and Prophet but to a greater degree.
He will suffer for the people and be put to death because he carries out the will of God to the letter. God will again raise Him up and give Him numerous spiritual offspring.
God declares in this portion we read, that He is going to be the support and strength of the chosen one in whom he is well pleased. He is going to pour His Spirit on him, something that is bestowed on Kings, Priests and Prophets. It will be given to the servant because He will bring justice to the nations (universe). Unlike oriental despots, He will accomplish His mission quietly and kindly. He will bring relieve to his people; light to the nations, sight to the blind, freedom to prisoners and those who sit in darkness.
The New Testament and Christian tradition has always seen these oracles as messianic prophecies which were fulfilled in the person of Jesus. We read in today’s Gospel the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ (Mark1:7-11) and how the heavens were opened and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove and the Father declaring Jesus as His chosen one with whom he is well pleased. This then fulfils the prophecy of Isaiah.
Before then John had preached saying there is one who comes after him, who is mightier than him, the thongs of whose sandals he is not worthy to stoop down and untie. John acknowledges the superiority of him who was to come. He was one who will be ‘’MIGHTY’’ with the power of God and will baptize with the Holy Spirit.
In the few verses of Acts of the Apostles read to us today, we find reference being made to the Lord’s Baptism and how God shows no partiality but gives His Spirit to anyone who sincerely seeks him. This reference occurs in very interesting events which took place soon after the Ascension of the Lord.
The pagan Roman Officer, Cornelius, stationed at Caesarea in Palestine, a devout man who admires the God of the Jews is told by an angel to send for Peter, the head of the Apostles. Peter then had him and his household baptised. After this experience, Peter was so convinced that the God of the Jews is a generous God.
My dear people of God, Jesus insisting on Baptism in the Jordon like any mortal man, was another proof of His love for us and His willingness to undergo any humiliation for our sake. He had no need to repent; he had no need to show proof that He was changing His sinful ways and returning to God. Yet, He did that out of love for us and because it was the Will of His Father. He was in fact a representation of all of us, sinners. He who knew no sin, was made so, so that we might be made righteous (2 Cor. 5:21. Rom. 8:3).
Each of us has been called to share in the three fold mission of Christ. How priestly (the common priesthood) has your life been? You are called to a life of sacrifice as a Catholic Christian. Have you acted like a prophet in your dealings with others? You are a royal, a kingly person and you have to live a distinct life, a life not questionable.
Are you even conscious of the baptismal promises you made? Can our heavenly Father say to you this day that you are my beloved son or daughter as He said to Jesus at His Baptism? You can only hear Him say this to you if you have sincerely embraced the three fold mission of Christ which you come to share in after your baptism.
As we celebrate today’s Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, may God grant us the grace to go back to the baptismal promises we made and live them out. Peace and joy to you.
Baptism is an acknowledgement of sin and the expression of repentance. Jesus, being God, was sinless so He did not need Baptism for the repentance of sin. Even John the Baptist was reluctant to baptise Him because he acknowledged Him as one who is mightier than him. (Mark 1:7).
But why did Jesus submit Himself to Baptism at the hands of John the Baptizer? Probably, He allowed baptism for the forgiveness of sins, NOT HIS SINS, but the sins of others. His Baptism brings about His solidarity with us in our sinful condition.
Jesus’ Baptism was a moment when He passed from the relatively obscurity of village life of Nazareth unto that public stage of His mission of proclaiming God’s kingdom. Up to now, few knew who He was. At His Baptism, many people came to know His identity (Mark 1:10-11) and He would show the people how to live their lives as God wanted.
Dear family of God, kindly journey with me through the Readings of today. The First Reading, taken from the Book of Isaiah 42:1-4; 6-7, forms part of Second-Isaiah (Chapters 40-55). There, we find the Oracles which describe a ’’Servant of Yahweh’’ who is to come. He would have the qualities of a King, Priest and Prophet but to a greater degree.
He will suffer for the people and be put to death because he carries out the will of God to the letter. God will again raise Him up and give Him numerous spiritual offspring.
God declares in this portion we read, that He is going to be the support and strength of the chosen one in whom he is well pleased. He is going to pour His Spirit on him, something that is bestowed on Kings, Priests and Prophets. It will be given to the servant because He will bring justice to the nations (universe). Unlike oriental despots, He will accomplish His mission quietly and kindly. He will bring relieve to his people; light to the nations, sight to the blind, freedom to prisoners and those who sit in darkness.
The New Testament and Christian tradition has always seen these oracles as messianic prophecies which were fulfilled in the person of Jesus. We read in today’s Gospel the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ (Mark1:7-11) and how the heavens were opened and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove and the Father declaring Jesus as His chosen one with whom he is well pleased. This then fulfils the prophecy of Isaiah.
Before then John had preached saying there is one who comes after him, who is mightier than him, the thongs of whose sandals he is not worthy to stoop down and untie. John acknowledges the superiority of him who was to come. He was one who will be ‘’MIGHTY’’ with the power of God and will baptize with the Holy Spirit.
In the few verses of Acts of the Apostles read to us today, we find reference being made to the Lord’s Baptism and how God shows no partiality but gives His Spirit to anyone who sincerely seeks him. This reference occurs in very interesting events which took place soon after the Ascension of the Lord.
The pagan Roman Officer, Cornelius, stationed at Caesarea in Palestine, a devout man who admires the God of the Jews is told by an angel to send for Peter, the head of the Apostles. Peter then had him and his household baptised. After this experience, Peter was so convinced that the God of the Jews is a generous God.
My dear people of God, Jesus insisting on Baptism in the Jordon like any mortal man, was another proof of His love for us and His willingness to undergo any humiliation for our sake. He had no need to repent; he had no need to show proof that He was changing His sinful ways and returning to God. Yet, He did that out of love for us and because it was the Will of His Father. He was in fact a representation of all of us, sinners. He who knew no sin, was made so, so that we might be made righteous (2 Cor. 5:21. Rom. 8:3).
Each of us has been called to share in the three fold mission of Christ. How priestly (the common priesthood) has your life been? You are called to a life of sacrifice as a Catholic Christian. Have you acted like a prophet in your dealings with others? You are a royal, a kingly person and you have to live a distinct life, a life not questionable.
Are you even conscious of the baptismal promises you made? Can our heavenly Father say to you this day that you are my beloved son or daughter as He said to Jesus at His Baptism? You can only hear Him say this to you if you have sincerely embraced the three fold mission of Christ which you come to share in after your baptism.
As we celebrate today’s Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, may God grant us the grace to go back to the baptismal promises we made and live them out. Peace and joy to you.