This past Sunday we celebrated the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Jesus freely chose to be baptized, though sinless, as a public attestation of his yes to his Father's invitation to the role of Messiah. It was the inauguration of his public embracing of the will of the Father. Jesus came in silence as a  child born of a Virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit. He was acknowledged by poor shepherds and Simeon and Anna, humble prophets, all of whom represented the Chosen People. He was sought after and found by Wise Men from the East, who represented the Gentile nations. Yet, for thirty years his life was hidden from public awareness, as he grew in wisdom, grace and knowledge before God and man. How does his baptism affect us today? His yes to do the will of the Father is a model for our yes to do the will of God today and every day.

"We must learn to live each day, each hour, yes, each minute as a new beginning, as a unique opportunity to make everything new. Imagine that we could live each moment as a moment pregnant with new life. Imagine that we could live each day as a day full of promises. Imagine that we could walk through the new year always listening to a voice saying to us: "I have a gift for you and can't wait for you to see it!" Imagine! (Henri Nouwen) 

Is this too far fetch to imagine? If we can imagine the worst so easily, why can't we imagine the best as well? It begins with how we perceive life, each day, each hour, each minute. God has a gift, a grace to give us if we are open to receive it. However, because of our negativity, our interpretation of past experiences, we do not believe that God has something good for us. Our hands are closed, like our heart, and thus there is no openness to the surprises of God. We may not perceive God's grace every minute, but if we remain open rather than closed, when he gives us the gift of grace, we will be able to receive it. Life can be a new beginning or it can be the same old drudgery of the past. The difference is me. 

"When one day I resolved to practice a certain virtue, I lapsed into the vice opposed to that virtue ten times more frequently than on other days. In the evening, I was reflecting on why, today, I had lapsed so extraordinarily, and I heart the words: 'You were counting too much on yourself and too little one me.' And I understood the cause of my lapse." (St. Faustina)

How true! It is the old human experience of wanting to do it alone without any help. And yet, God tells us that he . is with us for a purpose. He shows us that with, in and for him we can do all things, but without him or him on the sidelines is the path to failure. We can't overcome sin on our own. We need his grace which keeps us focus on him and not ourselves. We can't grow in virtue and holiness on our own, no matter how hard we try. It is in growing in and remaining consciously in his love that we can improve. Only in surrendering ourselves into his hands can we, in time, see the fruits of union with him. So let's begin now, today and each moment to say and live our "yes" to God.

Homily: Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

 

Reading 1: This is what I known as the Suffering Servant Song in the prophecies of Isaiah. There are four sections. We heard the initial statement: “Here is my servant, my chosen one with whom I am pleased.” This connects us to the Gospel event of Jesus’ baptism. Likewise, the next statement: “Upon whom I have put my spirit.”

 

Then we heard that this Servant will bring forth justice which is salvation. But he will do this not through doing violence.  He will be a light for the nations, which means that his salvation is not just for the Chosen People but for Gentiles as well.

He will manifest a variety of signs and wonders as a confirmation of who he is and what he will accomplish.

 

Is it possible that this is one of the passages which Jesus read or heard in the synagogue which convicted and confirmed for him in his humanity of his call from God?

 

Gospel:  Mark is very succinct and concise even though the event of Jesus’ baptism is rich in meaning.  Jesus, prior to this moment, came to a clear conviction in his humanity of the Father’s love for him and a clear conviction of his own call by God to be the long-awaited Messiah. He was sinless and therefor didn’t need the baptism of John for the purpose of manifesting any forgiveness and repentance.

 

For Jesus his baptism by John was a public way of saying yes to the Father’s love and call to publicly begin his ministry. Jesus is baptized because he has taken upon himself the sins of the world. He is not a sinner, but he is solidarity with sinful humanity. His baptism is an anticipation of his baptism of suffering on the cross.

 

As Jesus comes out of the water, the Spirit comes down from heaven. This is a foreshadowing of the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost. Jesus in his humanity is filled with the Spirit. He is anointed and empowered for ministry. The Father’s voice is a confirmation of his love for Jesus. It is the kiss of the Father. It is a divine moment in the human life of Jesus, which would sustain him at different times, especially on the cross.

 

 

For everyone else, John’s baptism was an outward sign of one’s repentance of sin and a sign of expectation or preparation for the Messiah, who had already come, but was not yet manifested. It was a public sign not a private one. But the baptism that Jesus’ offers is greater for he is mightier in person than John. He existed before John, as the Son of God before time began. He will baptize in water and the Holy Spirit.  The sins of those baptized will be forgiven and removed and the person will share the very life of God.  The Spirit of God will come and dwell within the person baptized.

 

Reading 2: Background. Cornelius is a Roman Centurion in Caesarea. He was a God-fearing man. He has a vision and in that vision an angel told him to invite a man name Peter to his house for he had a word from God for him. Likewise, Peter had a vision in which he was told that nothing was unclean for him to eat.  Afterwards the servants sent by Cornelius arrive inquiring for Peter. Realizing that this is a sign from God, Peter goes with them to Cornelius’ house.

 

It was forbidden for a Jew to enter into the home of a Gentile. But because of his vision Peter felt compelled to do so. Cornelius shared his vision. Peter then began to share the Gospel proclamation that Jesus is Lord and Savior. Upon hearing the message, the Spirit came upon Cornelius and his whole household. As a result, they spoke in tongues and prophesied, like the Apostles had experienced on Pentecost. Peter took this as a confirming sign from God and baptized them      

 

What was the message Peter proclaimed? What we just heard! The key part of his proclamation, the Kerygma: Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.  Do we not only believe this but surrender to the Lordship of Jesus over us? And if we do, will our life this week reflect this reality in a public way as our witness of our own baptism and life in Christ? 

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering  your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them--every day begin the task anew." (St. Francis de Sales)

Sometimes we are too demanding on ourselves, because we expect to be perfect now. We forget, like growth, getting better is a process, a journey that takes time and patience. When we fall short, as we will, we can get discouraged and even give up. What we need is the grace of perseverance and the resolve to keep going. We are in a marathon, not a dash. Like a tree that is planted today, we will not see any noticeable growth. But look at the tree a year later, we will see some growth. The same is true, if we persevere in our own journey. Only by looking back over a period of time may allow us to see growth.

""During this new year I resolve to begin a new life. I do not know what will happen to me during this year. But I abandon myself entirely to you, my God.  And my aspirations and all my affections will be for you. I feel so weak, dear Jesus, but with your help I hope and resolve to live a different life, that is, a life closer to  you." (St Gemma Galgani)

Wanting to live a life closer to God is not an unattainable goal. This is exactly the desire of God for us. What keeps us from taking the necessary steps is the fear of failure or the lie of our past unworthiness. What we forget is that this desire to live a life closer to God is supported by the grace of God. As Jesus told us: "With me you can do all things; without me you can do nothing." So the first step is our surrender to God, so that we can take the second and succeeding steps.  And if we fall short, get up and start anew at that point.

"Let everything whatsoever that you do, whether in word or in deed, be done all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17)

This is one of my favorite resolutions from the Word of God. It encompasses the admonition of Jesus to love one another as he has loved us. Think about it. If I can't do or say something in the name of Jesus, then I will not be loving. But when Jesus is the measure of my words and deeds, then I am acting in union with the will of God, which is love. God has a way of simplifying our lives after the fall of Adam and Eve. When we don't follow Paul's admonition, then our complicated lives become overwhelming and unmanageable.