THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD - Gospel (Matthew 3:13-17) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
- NHA CHUA CHA
- Jan 12
- 4 min read
FIRST READING - Is 42:1-4, 6-7
"Here is my servant whom I am pleased."
A reading from the Book of Isaiah
1 Here is my servant[a] whom I uphold,
my chosen one with whom I am pleased.
Upon him I have put my spirit;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations.
2 He will not cry out, nor shout,
nor make his voice heard in the street.
3 A bruised reed[b] he will not break,
and a dimly burning wick he will not quench.
He will faithfully bring forth justice.
4 He will not grow dim or be bruised
until he establishes justice on the earth;
the coastlands[c] will wait for his teaching.
SECOND READING - Acts 10:34-38
"God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power."
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
34 Then Peter proceeded to speak and said,[a] “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. 35 Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. 36 [b]You know the word [that] he sent to the Israelites[c] as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, 37 what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth[d] with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Mt 3:13-17
"After Jesus was baptized, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him."
✠From the Gospel according to Matthew
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 [a]John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” 15 Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. 16 [b]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. 17 And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son,[c] with whom I am well pleased.”
THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD - Gospel (Matthew 3:13-17)
THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
Dear people of God,
Today's Word of God informs all humanity about the Son of God, who came down to earth as man, living and acting like everyone else, evidenced by His coming to the Jordan River, meeting John, and asking him to baptize Him.
Only sinners who truly wish to repent came to John to ask for baptism, but Jesus, having come down to earth as man, committed no sin, so why did He come to ask to be baptized?
This is an example of the holy life and humility that God the Father wishes to teach all humanity.
Emulate the Son of God by humbly acknowledging one's sinful condition, so as to live according to the true nature of a human being who needs to be purified of their sins, to receive the grace of forgiveness, to be pure before the holy presence of God the Father, and to know how to abandon the path of sin so that every moment of one’s life is pleasing to God the Father.
Jesus came to John and asked to be baptized not because He was sinful, but out of love for humanity, He gave up all glory and honor to take on human condition like everyone else, so that humanity might receive the love of God the Father when the Most High God Himself came down to earth to dwell with and accompany mankind in all places and at all times.
How great is God's love for humanity. No one has a love as great as God's.
God does not want to lose a single soul; therefore, “A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench.”
Jesus came to earth as man to dwell with and accompany humanity. He transformed water into a source of grace so that through the water, mankind might be purified of all stains of sin, but that water must have the power of the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus immersed Himself in the Jordan River, the Holy Spirit was present, and God the Father witnessed His obedience. His coming to be baptized in the Jordan River informs all humanity that the Holy Trinity is always present in everything of God's plan of salvation, accompanying and becoming one with each other.
God also calls all humanity, before undertaking any work, to repent, to ask for the forgiveness of sins to receive the grace of conversion, and return to God the Father, just as the Son of God humbled Himself by immersing Himself in the Jordan River so that mankind might be united with God in His love.
The Word of God today calls upon all humanity to always live in a spirit of gratitude towards God, because of the love with which He came and remained with humanity. Specifically, He immersed Himself in the sinful condition of mankind to save people from the captivity of Satan.
God also calls everyone to truly repent, be humble before God the Father, acknowledge their condition as sinners, so as to resolve to abandon the old way of life and return to the light and truth of God as the Son of God set the example by humbling Himself and descending into the Jordan River so that humanity might see how great and immense God's love is.
He committed no sin, but solely out of love, He humbled Himself to unite with sinful people, so that sinful people might also be saved by the power of God's love and liberated from Satan’s captivity.
Thanks be to God. Amen
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