Fresh Start

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 week. 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 Week!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

• JANUARY 8, 2023
• January 9, 2023
• JANUARY 10, 2023

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The Baptism of the Lord 

Lectionary: 21 

Reading I

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.

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.

OR:

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.”

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.

Alleluia

Cf. 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.
 

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.”