Archive for January 11, 2014

January 12th 2014 – Baptism of the Lord

Posted: January 11, 2014 by CatholicJules in Life's Journeys, Sunday Reflections
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Sunday Bible Reflections by Dr. Scott Hahn

Anointed Ones

Readings:
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10
Acts 10:34-38
Matthew 3:13-17

Jesus presents himself for John’s baptism in today’s Gospel, not because He is a sinner, but to fulfill the word of God proclaimed by His prophets. He must be baptized to reveal that He is the Christ (“anointed one”) – the Spirit-endowed Servant promised by Isaiah in today’s First Reading.

His baptism marks the start of a new world, a new creation. As Isaiah prophesied, the Spirit descends upon Jesus like a dove – as the Spirit hovered over the face of the deep in the beginning (see Genesis 1:2).

As it was in the beginning, at the Jordan also the majestic voice of the Lord thunders above the waters. The Father opens the heavens and declares Jesus to be His “beloved son.”

God had long prepared the Israelites for His coming, as Peter preaches in today’s Second Reading. Jesus was anticipated in the “beloved son” given to Abraham (see Genesis 22:2,12,26), and in the calling of Israel as His “first-born son” (see Exodus 4:22-23). Jesus is the divine son begotten by God, the everlasting heir promised to King David (see Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14).

He is “a covenant of the people [Israel]” and “a light to the nations,” Isaiah says. By the new covenant made in His blood (see 1 Corinthians 11:25), God has gathered the lost sheep of Israel together with whoever fears Him in every nation.

Christ has become the source from which God pours out his Spirit on Israelites and Gentiles alike (see Acts 10:45). In Baptism, all are anointed with that same Spirit, made beloved sons and daughters of God. Indeed, we are Christians – literally “anointed ones.”

We are the “sons of God” in today’s Psalm – called to give glory to His name in His temple. Let us pray that we remain faithful to our calling as His children, that our Father might call us what he calls His Son – “my beloved. . . in whom I am well pleased.”

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: January 11, 2014 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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You have blessed me Lord with the knowledge and faith that as You dwell in my heart as I dwell in Yours; no evil will I fear nor will I not overcome.

Help me each passing they to grow in Your love as I surrender myself readily to You O Lord. Let me bring Your peace and love to all, especially those struggling to know You and lead righteous lives. Give me the wisdom and courage to speak out against the evil and sinful lives some of my sisters and brothers have chosen so as to lead them back them into the fold by Your Grace. Amen

FIRST READING
John 5:14–21

GOSPEL
John 3:22–30

Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. John was also baptizing g in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned. Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decreas