Sunday, January 08, 2006
BAPTISM OF THE LORD
JANUARY 9, 2006
BAPTISM OF THE LORD - B
ISAIAH 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.
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."
MARK 1:7-11
This is what he proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I
have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy
Spirit." It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of
Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of
the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a
dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, "You
are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
REFLECTION
Today, many of us may ask, "Why does Jesus have to be baptized?" The
baptism of Jesus by John is not the same as the Sacrament of Baptism
we received: Baptism that is dying to sin and rising to new life in
Jesus Christ. It is becoming a member of his Body by uniting
ourselves to the Christian community. It is becoming a child of God
in and through Jesus Christ. Our understanding of baptism has a
direct relation to Christ himself - who he was and what he did. For
us, our baptism says that we are united with Christ.
The Baptism of the Lord by John, as told us through the Gospels, is
very different from this. It is a central point in the life of
Jesus Christ. It was the inauguration of his mission, his public
ministry, which would ultimately lead to the cross.
At our Baptism, we received a share in Jesus' mission. Every
Christian is a missionary by virtue of our baptism. God gives us
the talents, potentials and skills needed to carry out our part of
the mission. One of the greatest privileges of being baptized is
the power to participate in the Eucharist. With Jesus we offer
ourselves in love to the Father. Someone once said that Baptism
unites us to Christ and the Eucharist identifies us with Christ.
Certainly we can appreciate that Baptism leads us to the Eucharist.
If Baptism is our birth into Christ, the Eucharist is our
nourishment for our daily lives.
PRAYER
"Lord Jesus, you have called me personally by name, just as you
called your first disciples, Simon, Andrew, and James. Help me to be
a faithful to the gospel and loyal to you. Fill me with the joy of
the gospel and help me to be a good witness of your kingdom to
others."
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray ...
- for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
- In Thanksgiving: Lydia
- for blessings, protection and good health of the Pe Family
- for the personal intentions of Mary Wong.
- for the continued recovery of Mike Torres.
- for the eternal repose of the soul of Victoria Serrato. Eternal
rest grant unto her and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she
all the dearly departed rest in peace.
- for the eternal repose of the souls of Teresita Bautista, Remegio
Sariola Jr., Florentina Sariola and Remegio Sariola Sr.
- for the eternal repose of the souls of Christopher Marrero and
Crispin Sanchez Sr.
- for the eternal repose of the soul of Rosario Bautista.
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Prayer Intention: Rogelio T. Yu
- Wedding Anniversary: Rowie & Angela Torres
- for world peace and reconciliation.
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our
prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
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