The Baptism of the Lord
Isaiah 41:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10: 34-38; Mark 1: 7-11
Theme: Keep Your Promise
Today the church celebrates the feast of the baptism of the Lord. Today’s celebration ends the Christmas season. This feast also marks the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus. Looking at the readings presented to us today by the church, we realize that it is a clarion call for us to equally evaluate our individual baptism. When we did our baptism, we made some promises to God and if we did infant baptism, our parents and God- parents stood-in for us. This is an opportunity for us to re-evaluate those baptismal promises that we made or were made on our behalf. How well have we been living them out and how well are we resolved to living them out in our daily lives? They are promises that we must necessarily strive to keep in our daily lives; especially as we celebrate the baptism of the Lord today.
It is also very important that we take the second reading of today very seriously. In the reading, we are reminded that God does not have favourites. All those who have the fear of God and live according to the imperatives of the gospel will be loved and richly blessed by him. In view of this, it is important for us to ask ourselves a very important question. Do we live like true children of God; lives that are in accordance with the baptismal promises we made to him? The answer to this question will help us to decide the next step to take in relation to the baptismal promises we made to God. This will help us to build a life that is built on love of God and neighbour. We will be able to live a life that is selfless, a life that thinks about the good of other people; a life that is devoid of any form of evil against other people. That is why we must ensure that we do all within our power to put into practice the baptismal promise we made to God. With the fear of God guiding our daily lives, we can be rest assured that at the end of our earthly pilgrimage, we will be with God in his heavenly kingdom.
In the gospel reading of today, we see John telling us about the baptism of Jesus at river Jordan. During the baptism, a voice is heard; this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. This simply shows that God is at peace with Jesus; he is comfortable with his son that he is presenting him to the world, and he will bring humanity salvation by going to Calvary. These words that is said about Jesus in today’s gospel, can God also say the same about us? This is my beloved son, or this is my beloved daughter in whom I am well pleased. Let us use this opportunity to work on ourselves and be true sons and daughters of God that he is proud of in the ways we lead our lives. Is God pleased with the way you live your life? If yes, thanks be to him and if no, then you must begin today to live a good life that is pleasing to him. It is my prayer today that God will grant us the graces we need to live our daily lives with true reverence for him. Amen. Peace be with you!