Sent Forth in Grace: The Baptism of the Lord

    Sent Forth in Grace:

The Baptism of the Lord

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January 12, 2020

Isaiah 42:1-7; Psalm 29; Acts 10: 34-38; Matthew 3:13-17

The church is wise to remember the baptism of Jesus as the inaugural moment of his ministry because baptism used to be the defining moment of a person’s life. Our contemporary celebration of the sacrament does not represent the potency it once had. For many, baptism today brings together an intimate special gathering of family members for the newest infant in the family. In actuality, it is so much more than that.

Historically, new converts came to Christianity as adult individuals who, after a period of formation and reflection, elected to give oneself over to Christ. Baptism was connected with a confession of faith where life began all over again because it marked a separation from a former way of life to a new one. Baptism was done by immersion to represent that it was like rising from the grave. It involved dying to oneself and rising again, dying to sin and rising to grace. It entailed a real identification with Christ, not merely an ethical change. When we entered the depths of the baptismal water, Christ was the one who saved us, and mystically we became one in Him.

In the early church, through Baptism, people entered into the Family of God by adoption. The adopted person lost all right to the old family and gained all the rights as a legitimate heir in the new family. The person got a new father, protector, and became an heir to the father’s estate. It meant that the old life of the adopted person was wiped out and any previous debts were cancelled. The person in actuality did nothing to deserve to be in this new family where one could access this amazing love and mercy. One’s right was guaranteed by the Spirit. One’s debts were cancelled, especially for the lost, helpless, poverty-stricken, and debt-laden sinner, and the person inherited God’s glory, even though it was undeserved. It became the person’s right because of God’s generosity.

Our baptism frees us from the sin and evil and it has no claim over us, though it remains a present reality. Even though most of us did not choose baptism, the Spirit of God gives us enormous power in the new life our families and church gave to us. We are not to belabor our guilt or sinfulness, because God’s righteousness is what matters. The life we are on as a church leads to sanctification and holiness. It does not mean we will ever become perfect and the struggle will always remain, but we are marked by the goodwill we give to others and to God, whose gift to us is eternal life.

Focus on the moments of God’s grace in your life. Look at the blessings and those areas of gratitude because they build upon one another and we enjoy life more fully. We move in the directions of our sight. If we look upon grace, we move closer to God. If we look at sin and guilt, our response to sin, then we are brought down by the weight of our shortcomings. Looking at sin is not the proper way for a Christian to move forward. Recognizing gratitude because Christ gave himself up for us is a more suitable response.

We will see sin’s advance in the world, but it ought not discourage us because it has no power over the person who chooses Christ. We try to become worthy of the gifts of love we receive from Christ and life is no longer a burden but a privilege that we try to live well. The old way of the law restrained people through fear. That is not who we are. Love is the factor that redeems and inspires people. Within Christ, the motive of life is love, and it is the inspiration of love that makes us do what we thought was impossible.

In our world, beauty fades and loveliness decays, but we do not merely see the world. We look beyond it and we see God. We are people who are freed to love and to live in gratitude. Love never dies, and our souls live forever because we live in God’s love. Let us never look back to our sins, but let us always look forward to this love that sets us free. It is the most powerful gift we have. Let’s share it abundantly.

Scripture for Daily Mass

First Reading: 

Monday: (1 Samuel 1) There was a certain man from Ramathaim, Elkanah by name. He had two wives, one named Hannah, the other Peninnah; Peninnah had children, but Hannah was childless.

Tuesday: (1 Samuel 1) Hannah rose after a meal at Shiloh, and presented herself before the LORD. In her bitterness she prayed to the LORD, weeping copiously, and she made a vow, promising: “O LORD of hosts, if you look with pity on the misery of your handmaid, if you remember me and do not forget me, if you give your handmaid a male child, I will give him to the LORD for as long as he lives.

Wednesday: (1 Samuel 3) One day Eli was asleep in his usual place. His eyes had lately grown so weak that he could not see. The lamp of God was not yet extinguished, and Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was. The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, “Here I am.”

Thursday: (1 Samuel 4) he Philistines gathered for an attack on Israel. Israel went out to engage them in battle and camped at Ebenezer, while the Philistines camped at Aphek. The Philistines then drew up in battle formation against Israel. After a fierce struggle Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who slew about four thousand men on the battlefield.

Friday (1 Samuel 8) All the elders of Israel came in a body to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, “Now that you are old, and your sons do not follow your example, appoint a king over us, as other nations have, to judge us.” Samuel was displeased when they asked for a king to judge them.

Saturday (1 Samuel 9) There was a stalwart man from Benjamin named Kish, who was the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite. He had a son named Saul, who was a handsome young man. There was no other child of Israel more handsome than Saul; he stood head and shoulders above the people.

Gospel: 

Monday: (Mark 1) After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”

Tuesday: (Mark 1) Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

Wednesday (Mark 1) On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

Thursday (Mark 1) A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”

Friday (Mark 2) When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.

Saturday (Mark 2) Jesus went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Jesus.

Saints of the Week

January 12: The Baptism of the Lord is recounted in Mark’s Gospel where the baptism of water is to be replaced by a baptism of fire. God confirms the person of Jesus when he rises from the water and a dove alights on his head. God is well pleased.

January 14: Hilary, bishop and doctor (315-367), was born in Gaul and received the faith as an adult. He was made bishop of Poitiers and defended the church against the Arian heresy. He was exiled to the Eastern Church where his orthodox rigidity made him too much to handle so the emperor accepted him back.

January 17: Anthony, Abbot (251-356), was a wealthy Egyptian who gave away his inheritance to become a hermit. Many people sought him out for his holiness and asceticism. After many years in solitude, he formed the first Christian monastic community. Since he was revered, he went to Alexandria to encourage the persecuted Christians. He met Athanasius and helped him fight Arianism.

This Week in Jesuit History

·      Jan 13, 1547. At the Council of Trent, Fr. James Laynez, as a papal theologian, defended the Catholic doctrine on the sacraments in a learned three-hour discourse.

·      Jan 14, 1989. The death of John Ford SJ, moral theologian and teacher at Weston College and Boston College. He served on the papal commission on birth control.

·      Jan 15, 1955. The death of Daniel Lord SJ, popular writer, national director of the Sodality, founder of the Summer School of Catholic Action, and editor of The Queen's Work.

·      Jan 16, 1656. At Meliapore, the death of Fr. Robert de Nobili, nephew of Cardinal Bellarmine. Sent to the Madura mission, he learned to speak three languages and for 45 years labored among the high caste Brahmins.

·      Jan 17, 1890. Benedict Sestini died. He was an astronomer, editor, architect, mathematician, and teacher at Woodstock College.

·      Jan 18, 1615. The French Jesuits began a mission in Danang, Vietnam.