BAPTISM OF THE LORD January 12, 2025

Readings: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7 Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

The Book of the Prophet Isaiah is called the Book of Consolation. It is placed here today because the baptism of Jesus is the first step in the life of Jesus that shows the fulfillment of this prophecy. The baptism could not have happened without the birth of Jesus nor without his infancy or with the hidden years. But the baptism is important because it begins the revelations of Jesus as Son of God.

Most of us want a comfortable life or a life without problems. We want God to take care of us. And God does promise to care for us, to shepherd us, to watch over us. The difference is that God wants us to grow to the very limits of our human potentiality and we are generally comfortable without wanting to change. How much can we love? Can we love more? God will stretch us so that we can love more and more.

The second reading, from the Letter to Titus, dwells on this theme of growth. It is important for us to notice that this grace of God is training us—the text puts as an ongoing action, not something that is completed. Our lives are process. Our lives are about learning how to live with the wisdom of God Himself. This is our baptism: dying to self so that we can live in the divine grace. Baptism is always about dying, about taking a new course and about this ongoing process of conversion.

Christian conversion and deep change in our lives can only come about as we come to know and believe that we are beloved by God. This is why the voice at the baptism of the Lord is so important and why we must also hear that voice of God speaking to us: You are my beloved! So much of Christian history shows people who tried to be what they thought God wanted them to be and turned out to be people who killed others and condemned others. God wants us to love, to know how to love, to grow in love and to share that love with Him and with others. Let us rejoice in the baptism of Christ and embrace our own baptism in Him.

                                                                             Fr. Terry.