Gospel Reflection for Sunday January 12th 2020 The Baptism of the Jesus
Becoming a member of God’s Family
It may seem a little unusual that just after celebrating his birth as a child, we now suddenly jump to marking the baptism of Jesus as an adult. The gospels are not recorded history; they’re not a running detailed history of the life of Jesus. It was once said that the difference between the Christian and Jewish mind is that we ask whether or not something actually happened, the Jewish People ask, what does it mean?
So for us who are Christian, what does the baptism of Jesus mean for us today? The word ‘baptism’ means to immerse or to wash. The sacred ritual of ‘baptism’ has existed in many religious beliefs for countless centuries. It requires that the person go down into water; to be totally immersed, to be washed and cleansed in order to become a new person. This was also a part of the Jewish culture to which Jesus belonged.
When Jesus is baptised by John, the voice of God is heard to say;
‘This is my Son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’
In a way this begins Jesus’ public ministry. This lets us know who Jesus is and from where he comes. His baptism publicly confirms his intimate and personal relationship with God. He is in God and God is in him. He is not here by or for himself; he has been sent by God. He is here to proclaim the Kingdom of God, not his own.
Through our own sacred baptism, we too are connected to Jesus and to God. When we were baptised, whether as a child or an adult, we became members of God’s royal family. We became sons and daughters of God and brothers and sisters of Jesus. Through our baptism we are immersed in God, we are cleansed and we become a new creation. It is through the sacrament of baptism that our deepest nobility and dignity come.
Through our baptism, God says to each of us personally, I call you by your name, you are mine, do not be afraid; you are precious to me and I love you. (Isaiah. 43.1). As Jesus’ unique relationship with God is confirmed through his baptism, so too our relationship with Jesus is established through our baptism. As God loves Jesus, so too Jesus loves each of us; ‘As the Father loves me, so I love you; abide in my love.’ (John. 15.9)
Take a moment today to remember and appreciate your own baptism through which you became a son and daughter of God. In silence, hear these words spoken to and about you; ‘You are my beloved, with whom I well pleased.’
-Br Michael Moore OMI
Gospel for January 12th the Baptism of Jesus: John 3:22-30 ©
Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned.
Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across Jordan, to whom testified, here he is baptizing and everyone coming him.” John answered said, “No can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. yourselves testify that I said am not Christ, but sent before bride bridegroom; best man, stands listens for him, rejoices greatly at bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine made complete. must increase; decrease.”
Sign up to receive our weekly Sunday Gospel Reflection straight to your inbox:
https://oblates.ie/e-newsletter/
Follow us on facebook
Follow us on twitter
