First reading: 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.
Second reading: Ac. 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.”
Gospel: Lk. 3:15–16,21–22
The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
In other words
by Fr. John O’Mahony, SVD (Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay City)
It might surprise us to know that the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is also the last day of the Christmas season. In this feast we see Jesus announcing his presence as a mature adult, so why should we consider it to be the last day of the Christmas season? What does this day have to do with the familiar scenes of crib, shepherds, visit of the Magi, etc.? What is the connection between the two feasts?
“Epiphany” is the word that connects the two events, which are separated by a gap of about thirty years. In the religious sense, Epiphany means a manifestation, or revelation of something from God. We especially associate it with the Feast of the Epiphany which we celebrated last Sunday. There we celebrated the manifestation or revelation of the great truth that the Infant Jesus is the divine Son of God, sent to proclaim salvation to the Gentiles (the visiting Magi represented all people, including you and me).
The Feast of the Baptism of Jesus is also an Epiphany. It too reveals to us the divine origin of Jesus as the Son of God. The Father proclaims it to us (“This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased”) and the Spirit confirms it by coming down upon Jesus “like a dove.” This manifestation or revelation is given to us in the baptismal context of Jesus preparing for and accepting his mission of proclaiming salvation to all humanity. It is a consecration sealed by the manifestation of the Triune God.
The involvement of the Holy Trinity in the Baptism of Jesus sheds light on some questions surrounding this event. Why did Jesus feel the need to be baptized? Was it necessary for his mission? After all, Jesus was without sin, while the baptism of John was a cleansing for sinners.
The participation of Jesus in this ritual manifests to us God’s desire to be in solidarity with sinful humanity to lead them in bringing “justice for the nations” and to enable them to be “a light for the nations” in the search for healing and peace (1st Reading). Here Jesus was “anointed with the Holy Spirit and power” as he began his mission of proclaiming salvation for all the nations (2nd Reading). It was now time, as it were, for the beginning of “Christmas in action.”
Looking at the Epiphany as a twofold event, we can see how the Baptism of Jesus can be celebrated as a fitting conclusion to the Christmas season. We have been putting away the Christmas decorations. We have allowed the Infant Jesus to “advance in wisdom and age before God and man” in the silence of Nazareth. And now he comes forward to be consecrated for his mission by the testimony of the Father and the Holy Spirit as he enters into solidarity with us through Baptism. He is asking us if we are willing to join him in fully accepting our baptismal consecration, ready to do our share in being instruments of God’s justice and peace and allowing his light to shine in us to draw others to him. What is our answer to his call?