The WORD today reminds me that God gives us a fresh start to do things right.
The
new year brings something that a lot of people make the most of – a fresh
start. Yes, it’s true that we can start or end things everyday, but there is a
psychological difference if we do it on a new year. A lot of people make
resolutions, a lot quit a bad habit, a lot start good ones, and a lot make the
most out of the opportunity to do something new, to do something fresh. A new
year, a fresh start. This is what Jesus’ baptism, the feast we celebrate today,
reminds us.
In
the gospel, we see an account of the baptism of Jesus by John. Jesus’ baptism ushers in a new
chapter of his life. It ushered in the start of his public ministry – his doing
and preaching God’s message to others. His initial preparation was done. It’s a
new chapter, It’s a new start for Jesus. And we are reminded today that we too
are given this opportunity by God to start things new, to do things right, to
get right with him.
In
the gospel, after Jesus was baptized, God’s voice was heard. “You are my
beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.” And just as God told this to Jesus,
he too can say this to us, if we act like Jesus. The reading tells how – that
as God’s children, we should love God, have the holy fear of the Lord, and act
right. We can see Jesus living this. Jesus is a king, yet he humbled himself
and had himself baptized by John. He was
humble and obedient to God. Because of this, God was always with
Him. His actions were aligned with God, so he was so blessed and was able to do
great things. The second reading reminds us that after his baptism, Jesus did
the work of God and healed and blessed many people. God was definitely with him
As
we start the year, we should strive to be like this as well. Living right and
pleasing to God. Align our thoughts and actions with God, and know that as we
do this, we will be blessed and will be able to do great things through God.
What
are the things I want to do this year? What are my goals? What are the things I
want to start this year? Am I willing to live right for Christ?
May
we take this opportunity and start living right with God. Let us humble
ourselves and submit to God, and allow Him to use us, love us, and live through
us.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live.
Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for another chance to love and serve
you. Thank you for another chance to experience your love. Lord, thank you for
the opportunity to start fresh and start new. Help me make the most of this and
do things right, live in a way pleasing to you. May my heart always be aligned
with yours. May you live in me. Help me to be like Jesus – humble and obedient
to you. As I try to do this, I know you will use me mightily to bring glory to
you. Amen.
Blessed Sunday!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
January 12 2020
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January 11 | January
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The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Lectionary: 21
Lectionary: 21
Reading
1 IS 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.
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.
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.
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.
Responsorial
Psalm PS 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10
R. (11b) 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.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
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.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
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.
R. 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.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
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.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
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.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
Reading
2 ACTS
10:34-38
Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered
in the house of Cornelius, saying:
“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.”
in the house of Cornelius, saying:
“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.”
Alleluia MK
9:7
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:
This is my beloved Son, listen to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:
This is my beloved Son, listen to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MT
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
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
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