We Are Really Something Because We Are God’s Children!

The Baptism Of Our Lord
13 January 2008


First reading Isaiah 42:1 - 7
Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom my soul delights.
I have endowed him with my spirit
that he may bring true justice to the nations.

He does not cry out or shout aloud,
or make his voice heard in the streets.
He does not break the crushed reed,
nor quench the wavering flame.

Faithfully he brings true justice;
he will neither waver, nor be crushed
until true justice is established on earth,
for the islands are awaiting his law.

I, the Lord, have called you to serve the cause of right;
I have taken you by the hand and formed you;
I have appointed you as covenant of the people and light of the nations,

to open the eyes of the blind,
to free captives from prison,
and those who live in darkness from the dungeon.

Second reading Acts 10:34 - 38
Peter addressed them: ‘The truth I have now come to realise’ he said ‘is that God does not have favourites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.

‘It is true, God sent his word to the people of Israel, and it was to them that the good news of peace was brought by Jesus Christ – but Jesus Christ is Lord of all men. You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil.

Gospel Matthew 3:13 - 17
Then Jesus appeared: he came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. John tried to dissuade him. ‘It is I who need baptism from you’ he said ‘and yet you come to me!’ But Jesus replied, ‘Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that righteousness demands’. At this, John gave in to him.

As soon as Jesus was baptised he came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice spoke from heaven, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him’.

Reflection
By Anabelle Payod-Balla

One of the things I like in our religion is having the 7 sacraments. They seem to have been strategically timed all through the different stages of our life to keep us on track. It touches all the important moments of our life. I consider them as landmarks to ensure we find our way to heaven. And our first step is baptism when we are freed from original sin and made members of Christ's Church. What an honor given to us all! It is our door to a new life, a life with God as our Father. Imagine what we can do and what we can accomplish if we only trust and obey our Father in heaven who Is the Greatest of all!

Jesus went through the baptism ceremony Himself where God proclaimed Him as His Beloved Son, His Chosen One. It was Jesus’ first step to enter a new life and from there began His ministry, consistently seeking and trusting His Father’s will until it was time for Him to go. Through Jesus we were blessed and saved from the fires of hell. And through Jesus, God our Father listens to us who fear Him and who do good.

We now belong to God’s family. We were given the privilege through baptism to enjoy His loving care, blessings, guidance, and forgiveness. All we need to do is ask with good intentions in our hearts.

Father, we praise You for giving us the opportunity to become Your children through the sacrament of Baptism. And we thank You for giving us Jesus as our role model. Like Jesus, may we continue to be faithful in our ministries and proclaim Your power and glory to everyone around us, especially to our families so we too may bring more souls to your kingdom. Amen.

We are God’s children. Like Jesus, let us obey and trust Him for He is All-knowing!