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: 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.”
Gospel: Mt. 3:13–17
Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.
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. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
In other words
Fr. Patricio de los Reyes, SVD (University of San Carlos, Cebu City)
Jesus was confirmed, affirmed, and proclaimed as God’s humble and faithful servant. God gave Him the power to heal the sick and to free those oppressed by the devil. He was called to bring God’s justice to all nations.
He will be the light to the nations, He will give sight to the blind, and He will free those imprisoned by the devil’s designs and untruth.
Jesus was revealed and proclaimed as God’s beloved Son, and God was pleased with Him. God was pleased with Jesus because Jesus was faithful and humble in His service. God was pleased with Him because he was steadfast in bringing God’s justice, healing, and freedom to people. God was pleased with Jesus because He was humble and faithful in serving God’s purposes. He served without giving up, even when He thought His suffering was too much, even when the weight of the cross weakened Him, and even when He felt alone
Every believer is called to become a child of God, to fear God, and to be upright. Every believer is called to act justly, do good, and be kind and compassionate to become an instrument of God, to lighten the burdens of the oppressed, to give light to those in darkness, and to give freedom to those enslaved by the devil.
May every believer become a faithful and humble servant of God. May every believer become a pleasing child of God.