May the Love of God increase: The Baptism 2025

                                       May the Love of God increase:

The Baptism 2025 

January 12, 2025

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Isaiah 42:1-7; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-48; Luke 3:15-22

 

The readings show us the role that John the Baptist assumes as the forerunner of the Messiah. He prepared the people for the promised salvation that Jesus offers. John was a powerful figure who attracted many visitors from Jerusalem, and he had a sizable following across Israel. His words of authority and conviction led many people to expect that he might be the Promised One. He fit the mold of a radical prophet. The Gospels show Jesus to be the stronger one, and John backs away from honor so that Jesus can take center stage. John teaches us how to exit the stage gracefully and retire to his supporting presence in salvation history.

 

John is a model for transitions. He can help us when we are in need of letting go a bit, whether it is to retire from a successful career, to right-size from a larger house to a smaller one, to declutter accumulated possessions, or to move to a new location. We know people who resist giving up position, status, honor, or power. We often measure our importance by “what” we do or how meaningful we are. John knows that we will struggle with these types of changes and that there will be unanticipated bumps and bruises along the way – to one’s ego, to one’s sense of self and identity, to one’s circle of relationships. John teaches us about humility, which means to know firmly who you are. By moving off the stage, he was graced by God’s blessing.

 

Jesus was affirmed and encouraged by the Holy Spirit after he was baptized. He did not do anything to earn that praise from God yet, and he willingly accepted God’s validation as energy for his new mission. This was a public signal that he had a special place with God. John also was affirmed, albeit in a different way, because he was thanked by God for his pivotal role in salvation history. He could now move nobly to the sidelines because he accomplished his purpose. The time for Jesus had arrived to step forward.

 

This story gives us courage to live our life well. We each have special, unique roles to play in God’s world, and each function is important. We are to do our best without worrying about human status, or honor, or success. We simply must be fully who we are. We are good enough. We are better than good enough. We are beloved by God, and we are crucial parts of someone else’s story, even if we do not know it. We can know our place in God’s esteem is secure, and we do not have to prove anything. Christ’s light shines through us more brightly when we simply are more humbly who we are.

 

When Jesus was acknowledged as God’s beloved one, he went forward with great courage to proclaim God’s reign. This blessing signaled that his work could earnestly begin. Blessings often contain new missions. John the Baptist’s blessing enabled him to prepare people to convert their hearts as Scripture demands. When we realize we are blessed, we are called to a new dignity and a new mission, and our identity continues to evolve. We are often called not to a “what” but to a “how.” We are called to be someone valuable for each new phase of life. John experienced a changed identity when he decreased because Christ increased. What is in store for us in our life’s transitions? Can we receive them with grace and ease, and perhaps more trust? When we do so, the favor of God magnifies our souls, and Christ’s presence in us is seen more readily. Then, we realize we are achieving our unique purpose. I hope you know that you are blessed by God, lovable to God, and each day Christ’s life begins in us anew

 

Scripture for Daily Mass

First Reading: 

Monday: (Hebrews 1) In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through the Son,   
whom he made heir of all things.

 

Tuesday: (Hebrews 2) For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering.

 

Wednesday: (Hebrews 2) Since the children share in blood and Flesh, Jesus likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the Devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life.

 

Thursday: (Hebrews 3) Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil and unfaithful heart, so as to forsake the living God. Encourage yourselves daily while it is still “today,”

Friday (Hebrews 4) Let us be on our guard while the promise of entering into his rest remains, that none of you seem to have failed. For in fact we have received the Good News just as our ancestors did. But the word that they heard did not profit them, for they were not united in faith with those who listened.

 

Saturday (Hebrews 4) The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.”

 

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

 

• January 12, 1544. Xavier wrote a long letter on his apostolic labors, saying he wished to visit all the universities of Europe in search of laborers for our Lord's vineyard. The letter was widely circulated and very influential. 
• January 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. 
• January 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. 
• January 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. 
• January 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. 
• January 17, 1890. Benedict Sestini died. He was an astronomer, editor, architect, mathematician, and teacher at Woodstock College. 
• January 18, 1615. The French Jesuits began a mission in Danang, Vietnam.