A WORD FOR TODAY 12 JANUARY 2020

A WORD FOR TODAY 12 JANUARY 2020


A WORD FOR TODAY

AND THE HEAVENS WERE OPENED

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which marks the beginning of His public ministry. He was baptised at the river Jordan by saint John the Baptist, not because He had any sin, but in order to fulfil all righteousness.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: (CCC 1213) "Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission"

The prophet Isaiah in the first reading of today talks about the the servant of Yahweh in whom the Lord is pleased and who will bring forth justice to the nations. The early Christians identified this servant of Yahweh as Christ, because in Him was the fulfilment of all the prophecy made in the old testament.

Jesus came to this earth for a purpose and before He started publicly to carry out the task for which He came, He went to the river Jordan to be baptised by John as we have recorded in the gospel reading of today. He humbled himself to be baptised by John, not because He has committed any sin that needed to be washed away by the waters of baptism, but in order to fulfil all righteousness and also sanctify the waters of baptism for our regeneration.

God the Father was with Jesus as He was baptised and he was anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power for the task of the redemption of man and for the proclamation of God's kingdom. The heavens opened and the Spirit of the Lord descended upon Him like a dove and the voice from heaven said, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. The Father vouched for His own Son, because He has come to do His will and represent Him. He will be the king that will save sinful humanity through the love of the cross.

Jesus by virtue of His baptism identified with sinful humanity and sanctified the water for our own cleansing. By virtue of of our baptism we have become children of God and members of the body of Christ, the Church. We must strive always to keep to our baptismal promises. To believe in God, profess His name in the Church and help others to come to know Him too.

The heavens opened when Jesus was about to start His public ministry. May the heavens open and may God vouch for you and take care of you as His beloved son and daughter. May you experience open doors in this new year and may the grace of your baptism continue to work in your life.

May the Holy Spirit give you the strength to be able to live a life worthy of your calling and may kindness, love, peace and gentleness be the hallmark of the baptismal fruits you will bear for God.

Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you begin your day and do have Splendid Sunday. May Jesus' baptism inspire you to keep doing your best in humility to live up to your baptismal promises. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Meditation: Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7/Psalm 29:1-4,9-10/Acts 10:34-38/Matthew 3:13-17

Watch-Word: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.

By virtue of our baptism we have been given a new life in Christ, therefore, we must keep shining for Him who has called us to be with Him.

(Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Year A)