Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7
Matthew 3:13-17
With the baptism of Jesus, we come to the end of the Christmas season. The baptism of Christ reminds us of our own baptism. His baptism marks the beginning and commissioning of his ministry as the suffering servant who will take away the sins of the world. John the Baptist wanted to refuse to baptize Jesus, but Jesus insisted in order to fulfill all for righteousness sake. At the baptism of Christ, the Father’s voice was heard with the commission, “this is my beloved son” as the Spirit descended upon him in gentle form of a dove. The baptism of Jesus points to Christ as the anointed one of God. The one who will establish justice on the earth as foretold by prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 42:4).
God speaks to Israel through the prophet saying, I have grasped you by the hand, I formed you, and I set you as a covenant, a light for the nations. Although, Israel was in exile, God loves them so much, that rather than despise them, He approaches them with gentleness (just like a dove). God reaches out to take the hand of Israel and pulls them from darkness and despair into God’s own light and hope. A similar account is displayed in our baptism when God pulls us out of the sea of death to bring us to share in his eternal life.
Our baptismal life is a life of grace; It is a gift and a privilege Parents and godparents, the community, we are commissioned to renew our lives and faith in the mystery of Gods’ grace. To us is the child’s baptismal candle entrusted so it will be kept burning brightly and this child can go forth in life as a child of light, alive with everlasting life.
Fr Joseph Osho
