January 12, 2014

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7

   Thus says the LORD: "Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, Upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, Until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching. Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spreads out the earth with its crops, Who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk on it: I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, To open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness."

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Responsorial Psalm: 29:1-2.3-4.9-10
Response: The Lord will bless his people with peace.
   Give to the LORD, you sons of God, give to the LORD glory and praise, Give to the LORD the glory due his name; adore the LORD in holy attire. (Response)
   The voice of the LORD is over the waters, the LORD, over vast waters. The voice of the LORD is mighty; the voice of the LORD is majestic. (Response) 
   The God of glory thunders, and in his temple all say, “Glory!” The LORD is enthroned above the flood; the LORD is enthroned as king forever. (Response)

Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38

   Peter proceeded to speak and said, "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 3:13-17

   Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus

   Here the baptism reveals that Jesus is recognized by two persons and they are bear witness to Jesus. This is what happens at every baptism. God recognizes who Jesus is. The voice from the heaven declares: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” The recognition reveals to where the person belongs to and how he is related to. Baptism shows the belonging and the relationship. Jesus belongs to God and he is the beloved son of Him.
   John (in his person the society or the people) recognizes who Jesus is. John recognizes him to be person belonging to God and hence he is to be treated with respect and reverence and esteem. Baptism makes everyone a person of esteem, respect and reverence. And everyone should be treated so with respect, reverence and esteem because he belongs to God and he is related to God.