Baptism of Our Lord
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
Just as God the Father spoke these words to Jesus after His Baptism, “You are my Beloved Son, with you I am well pleased (Luke 3:22), so Jesus speaks similarly to us. He tells us we are “his chosen ones with whom I am pleased” (Is: 42-43).
Even though we are “not worthy to loosen the straps of his sandals,” (Luke 3:16), “he has “grasped us by the hand” (Is: 42:9). We are his! What greater good could there be?
“Jesus went about doing good…for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). And so, God is with us. Consider how much good we can spread during this New Year of 2025. We may not have the honor of baptizing Jesus, but we can bring blessings to others. Ordinary, not necessarily extraordinary, deeds should fill our days if we just look for the signs right in front of us.
I received three emails on Christmas Day from acquaintances with whom I have little contact. Before this, I would have said that I would not contact someone on such a feast as they probably have so much to do with their family. Now, I think differently. All three took the time to email me and lifted my spirits at a time when I was struggling with grief after the loss of my youngest brother. They did not know my struggle and yet these emails were the greatest gifts I received that day.
In our old Baltimore Catechism, we learned that we can be baptized by water, desire, and blood. We have been baptized by water, and blood would be one of those extraordinary deeds, but what about desire? Do we truly desire the good of another? Do we extend the blessings we received at our Baptism to those we meet daily? A simple smile, an acknowledgement of something well done, an invitation to have coffee, and a quick email are some of the ways the graces we received can be shared with others.
As we begin this week of Ordinary Time in the Church, let us spread the Good News in ordinary ways!
