First Reading
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not fail or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. “I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 29:1-4, 3, 9-10
Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy array. The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, upon many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful, the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The voice of the LORD makes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forests bare; and in his temple all cry, “Glory!” The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king for ever.
Second Reading
Acts 10:34-38
And Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Gospel
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ, John answered them all, “I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, as a dove, and a voice came from heaven, “Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.”
Reflection:
The people were expectantly wondering if John the Baptist might be the Messiah. This speaks to the anticipation and hope that filled the hearts of the people, yearning for deliverance and the fulfillment of prophecies. John’s humility and clarity are evident as he addresses their speculations. He clearly distinguishes himself from the one who is to come, acknowledging his role as the forerunner. By saying, “I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming,” John emphasizes the superiority and divine mission of Jesus. His statement about not being worthy to untie the thong of Jesus’ sandals reflects profound humility and reverence.
John’s mention of Jesus baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire indicates a transformative and purifying power far beyond the symbolic act of water baptism. This points to the deeper spiritual renewal and empowerment that Jesus would bring.
The baptism of Jesus is a significant event, marked by divine revelation. As Jesus is baptized and prays, the heavens open, and the Holy Spirit descends upon Him in the form of a dove. This visual and supernatural confirmation of Jesus’ divine sonship is profound. The dove symbolizes peace, purity, and the Holy Spirit’s presence and anointing.
God’s voice from heaven, declaring, “Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased,” affirms Jesus’ identity and mission. This divine affirmation not only reassures Jesus but also publicly reveals His unique relationship with the Father and His role as the Messiah. It marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry with a powerful endorsement from God.
This passage invites us to reflect on several key themes:
- Humility and Preparation: Like John, we are called to recognize our roles and to humbly prepare the way for Christ in our lives and the lives of others.
- Divine Confirmation: Just as the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus, we too can seek and receive the Holy Spirit’s guidance and empowerment in our journey of faith.
- Identity and Mission: Understanding and embracing our identity as beloved children of God, we are called to live out our mission with confidence, knowing that God is pleased with us and supports us.
In essence, this passage encourages us to acknowledge and respond to God’s presence and calling in our lives, to prepare ourselves for His work, and to embrace the divine affirmation that we are His beloved.