The Baptism of the LORD

Readings

Reading 1 IS 42:1-4, 6-7
Responsorial Psalm IS 12:2-3, 4BCD, 5-6
Reading 2 1 JN 5:1-9
Alleluia CF. MK 9:7
Gospel MK 1:7-11

Through water and the Spirit came God’s revelation; through Christ’s blood came our salvation. Christ’s ministry was possible through the former. Men’s redemption through the latter. God announced it through his prophets and the Spirit testified of it.

“This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by the water and blood. The Spirit is the one who testifies, and the Spirit is truth. So there are three that testify, the Spirit, the water and the blood, and the three are of one accord” (1 JN 5:6-8).

Through Jesus’ baptism, God revealed his relationship with the Son and Spirit. This Trinitarian relationship gave Christ his strength and wisdom to minister and endure suffering. This same Trinity has been bestowed to us through baptism to live out our ministry and encounter tribulations.

Jesus’ obedience flamed his father’s love: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (MK 1:11). Our obedience, too, can lead us to fulfill our baptism “You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation” (IS 12:3) if we believe in Jesus as his father instructed us “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by him” (1 JN 5:1).

All who are thirst for the LORD can come to the waters of baptism. (cf. IS 55:1)

Second Sunday of Advent

Readings:

Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
Psalm 85:9-14
2 Peter 3:8-14
Mark 1:1-8

“In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD” (Isaiah 40:3).

Our hearts are the wilderness God wants to prepare for his return. To fulfill his desire for us, we must not just make a path for him, we must build a highway; one that can receive his glorious salvation. We must level the mountains and hills blocking the radiance of his light.  We must smooth the rough edges, which like the crown of thorns placed on Christ, are our cause of pain and suffering (cf. Isaiah 40:1-4).  Only “[T]hen the glory of the LORD shall be revealed” (Isaiah 40:5).

God wants to grant us salvation; he wants to show us his mercy. This is why he sent his son so we could experience a living example of kindness and truth, justice and peace. These four conditions are necessary means to prepare for the Lord’s coming (cf. Psalm 85:11-15).

We cannot assume that we can put off our preparedness for tomorrow; like a thief, God’s arrival is unknown (cf. 2 Peter 3:10). Therefore, it is important that while we wait, we do what we can “to be found without spot or blemish before him” (2 Peter 3:14).

God, however, expects more from us that just to be prepared. God wants us to evangelize others, just as John the Baptist did, to prepare them to receive him (cf. Mark 1:2-3). We cannot hoard God’s message of salvation. He meant for us to share it the same way he shared his son with us.

– God, I give my heart to you this day; may you will it to please you.

First Sunday of Advent

“But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13: 32).

On this first Sunday of Advent, Mark reminds us to be prepared for Christ’s return. Therefore, “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come” (Mark 13:33).

The next 25 days of Advent are an opportunity to reflect on what we are doing to stay watchful:  “Behold, I am coming soon. I will bring with me the recompense I will give to each according to his deeds” (Revelation 22:12). What is our relationship with God? Are our thoughts, actions, and words inviting Jesus to come into our lives? (cf. Rev 22:20) How are we loving God and our neighbors? (cf. Luke 10:27) Are we aware of our shortcomings? What steps are we taking to improve our faith, hope, and love? (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:13) Have we served others with corporal and spiritual works of mercy?

Advent is a chance to ask God with hopeful hearts: “Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved” (Psalm 80:4). With the armor of God’s grace, we can draw strength from the Lord and stand firm against the darkness and evil of the world      (cf. Ephesians 6: 10-13).

We ought to rejoice during the Advent season with Paul’s words to the Corinthians in the second reading:

“…for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:4-7).

On Christmas Day, we celebrate our Savior’s first coming, his Nativity, and his Incarnation. A joyful occasion indeed, but one gravely incomplete if we fail to reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension.

This Advent season, let us ponder our watchfulness. Let us keep in mind Isaiah’s words: “You, LORD, are our father, our redeemer…we are the clay and you our potter: we are all the work of your hands” (Isaiah 63:16; 64:7).

– God, I give my heart to you this day; may you will it to please you.

We Always Come First

“When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns.
When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick.” (Matthew 14:13)

How would have you reacted if, in the moment of mourning a friend, people interrupted you so they could be healed? Many of us would have asked for privacy or maybe we would have been too sad to help others, or maybe we would have been angry by people’s lack of consideration. I think we would have been understanding of Jesus if he felt those emotions. We can see from his actions that his love is not like our love. We always come first and nothing can separate us from this love, not even John’s murder. That’s the message of today’s gospel (Matthew 14:13-21).

As the Apostle Paul explains in the epistle to the Romans: “What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us” (Romans 8:35). Jesus will always be there for us. As is it written in today’s Psalm “The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs” (Psalm 145:cf.16).

The depths of Jesus’ love for us are unknown. The Prophet Isaiah alludes to this when he says: “All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; Come, without paying and without cost” (Isaiah 55:1). These are not empty words. As we experience in today’s gospel, these words are fulfilled in the miracle of the loaves bread and fish.

We must be careful, however, not to misconstrue Christ’s love for us as a cheap commodity that we can buy and throw away. Yes, his love is there for the taking, but we must do our part to justify it. What may that be? “Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life” (Isaiah 55:2-3) God does not force himself on us, we must heed his words to receive his love.

 

— God, I give my heart to you this day; may you will it to please you.–