May the Love of God increase:
The Baptism 2025
January 12, 2025
www.johnpredmoresj.com | predmore.blogspot.com
predmoresj@yahoo.com | 617.510.9673
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 is the one to prepare 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, and he spoke with authority and conviction. It is not surprising that people expected that he might be the Promised One. He fit the mold of a radical prophet, and the Gospels show Jesus to be the stronger one, the one who backs away from honor, so that Jesus can take center stage. John teaches us how to gracefully exit the stage and retire from his central but supporting presence in salvation history.
John is a model for us in transitions. He can help us when we are in a position to retire from a successful career, to right-size from a larger house to a smaller one, to declutter our lives with accumulated possessions, or to move to a new location. We know people who resist and struggle to give up position, status, honor, or power. We often measure our importance by “what” we do or how meaningful we are to a profession. John knows that these changes will be difficult and some of the movements will have unanticipated bumps and bruises along the way – to one’s ego, to one’s self of self and identity, to one’s circle of relationships. John teaches us about humility, which means to know firmly who you are. By doing so, he receives the same grace that Jesus did.
Jesus received affirmation and encouragement from the Holy Spirit when he prayed after he was baptized. He did not do anything to earn that praise from God, and he allowed God to validate his very self. This was a signal to those in his presence that he had special favor of God. John likewise received that affirmation, albeit in a different way, because he was validated by God for his crucial role in salvation history. His work and his identity were thanked by God, so that he could move to the sidelines in honor and dignity. He lived with integrity, and now he could step aside with nobility. He would still be meaning to the people, and his accomplished his purpose. Now, the time for Jesus had arrived.
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 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 though we are at the center of our world, we are crucial parts of someone else’s world. We can know our place in God’s plan is secure, and we don’t have to prove anything. We can simply be more fully who we are.
When Jesus was blessed after his baptism, his world opened up to him to proclaim God’s reign. This blessing signaled that his new work could begin. Blessings often contain new missions. John the Baptist was blessed by God and then proclaimed a new ministry of supporting Jesus. When we are blessed, we are called to a new dignity and a new mission, and our identity continues to evolve. We are called not to a “what” but to a “how.” We are called to something new in each phase of life, and John experienced that when he decreased, Christ increased. What is in store for us in our life’s transitions? Can we receive it with grace and ease? 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 have achieved our true purpose.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment