By Msgr. Joseph Prior • Posted January 10, 2025

(See the readings for the Baptism of the Lord)

St. Luke tells us that the “people were filled with expectation” for the coming of the Christ. They had been asking themselves whether John the Baptist might be the Messiah. The longing for a messiah is reflected in the hopes of Israel recalled in the first reading from Isaiah. There are two choices for this reading for today’s liturgy (Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7 or Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11). Both readings reflect his hope.

The servant of the Lord will come among his people establishing justice through healing. This chosen one will be set “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.” He will be a gentle shepherd who “feeds his flock.”

The strength of the Lord will be channeled through kindness, compassion and mercy. He will give comfort to his people. He will “speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated.” He will gather “the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.”

The hopes of Israel are fulfilled in Christ Jesus. John the Baptist, aware of the people’s hope and their questions about him, quickly states that he is not the Christ. “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming,” John says. “I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Jesus seems to be present when this exchange happens but he remains silent. Then he and all those gathered are baptized by John. At this point, the heavens open and the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove. Then the Father speaks: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Jesus is not only the servant whom Isaiah had prophesized; he is the Beloved Son.

Jesus did not have to be baptized but he does so to foreshadow our baptism. He humbly seeks and accepts baptism from John. His baptism, which we celebrate this Sunday, reminds us of our own baptism. In that sacrament we are united with Christ Jesus in his death, a death that brings reconciliation, healing and peace. And, as we have shared in His life-saving death, we are promised a share in his life-giving resurrection. Being united with Christ, we share in his life. We also have a share in his mission.

The baptism we have all received calls us and empowers us to be a people of love and mercy, justice and peace, humility and strength. The hopes of Israel, the expectations of the people, are fulfilled in Christ Jesus. Living our baptismal call and mission, we walk in the Way of Christ Jesus. Perhaps the passages from Isaiah can help us do this today, and provide the people with whom we live and work a similar hope.

The Isaian passages describe Jesus’ future ministry in terms of gentleness and tenderness. These words are not usually used to describe the powerful. Perhaps that is part of the paradox and mystery of God’s saving work. Jesus is powerful but does not act like the powerful of this world. His life is one of humility and service.

Ultimately this leads to his death at the hands of the powerful, and his resurrection at the hands of the Father. His way is not the way of the world. Jesus’ tender mercy is seen in his treatment of sinners. He does not judge in condemnation; his justice is established in mercy. His gentle compassion is seen as his heart is moved with pity for the sick, the dying and the grieving. His humble power is seen in his feeding the hungry, healing the sick and calming the storms.

There are two possible second readings for Mass today. The first from the Acts of the Apostles has Peter giving a speech in Cornelius’ house. He recalls the beginning of Jesus’ ministry from the time of the baptism, “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.”

The other option is a passage from the Letter to Titus. Here St. Paul gives us a beautiful description of the significance of baptism. He writes:

“When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.”

Jesus gave himself to deliver us from “all lawlessness.” He washes us clean through baptism so as to “be eager to do what is good.” So he teaches us to “reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ.”

The hopes and expectations of Israel for a messiah and savior are fulfilled in Christ Jesus. Likewise all our hopes lie in him who died and rose from the dead. His baptism by John manifests the humble obedience of a “beloved Son” in whom the Father is “well pleased.”

Our baptism unites us with him as adopted sons and daughters of the Father. Our response of thanksgiving is living good lives of gentle compassionate love; eager to serve, to forgive, to heal, to feed and to proclaim “Jesus Christ is Lord.”

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Msgr. Joseph Prior is pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Penndel, and a former professor of Sacred Scripture and rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.