BAPTIZED! ANOINTED! SENT!

Written By Holy Family Church

Blessed Sunday to all.  As we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we mark the conclusion of the Christmas season and the solemn beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. In the liturgical year, this feast serves as a pivotal bridge from Advent & Christmas to Ordinary Time. 

Let’s unpack the readings & draw some lessons &inspiration for us for this New Year 2026 A.D. (Anno Domini & not the politically correct & bland reference of C.E.).

In our 1st Reading from Isaiah 42:1–4, 6–7, we hear the "First Suffering Servant Song" from the Prophet Isaiah. Written centuries before Christ (around 600 B.C.), this passage describes a servant who is chosen and upheld by God, one in whom God’s soul delights. Unlike the earthly conquerors of the time, this servant does not cry out or make his voice heard in the streets. He is characterized by a "gentle strength." The imagery of the "smoldering wick" and the "bruised reed" is particularly moving; it suggests that Christ does not come to crush the weak or extinguish the flickering faith of the struggling, but to bring justice through mercy.  When we hear, "I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice," we see the blueprint for Jesus’ mission: to be a light to the nations and to open the eyes of the blind.

In our 2nd Reading from Acts 10:34–38, we learn a pwerful truth about God:  God has no favourites!  Peter provides a concise summary of the Gospel message. This specific passage is revolutionary because it occurs in the house of Cornelius, a Roman centurion. Peter’s realization that "God shows no partiality" breaks the boundaries of the Old Covenant. He explains that the peace preached by Jesus is available to all. Peter highlights the moment of the Baptism as the "anointing," where God empowered Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power.

This reading reminds us that our own Baptism is not just a private ceremony but also a commissioning. Just as Jesus went about "doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil," we, as baptized Christians are called to active service in the world.

In our glorious account of Jesus’ Baptism from the Gospel of Matthew 3:13–17, a unique dialogue occurs here that is not found in the other Synoptic Gospels: John the Baptist’s hesitation. John recognizes the paradox. He says, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" John understands that Jesus is sinless and has no need for a baptism of repentance. However, Jesus insists: "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness."

This completely new & radical way of God relating to man is powerfully expressed in today’s Antiphon 1 of Lauds (Morning Prayer of the Divine Office – “The soldier baptizes the king, the slave his Lord.  John baptizes the Saviour.  The waters of the Jordan are astonished, the dove appears as a sign, the voice of the Father declares:  This is my Son.”

So why was Jesus baptized?  By entering the waters of the Jordan, Jesus does not become holy; rather, He makes the water holy. He identifies Himself completely with sinful humanity. He stands in line with the broken, the repentant, and the searching, signalling that He has come to carry our burdens.

As Jesus emerges from the water, three things happen that define the "Theophany" (the manifestation of God):

1.   The Heavens open: The barrier between God and humanity, closed by original sin, is torn asunder.

2.   The Spirit descends like a dove: The Holy Spirit rests upon Jesus, marking the beginning of the new creation.

3.   The Voice from Heaven: The Father speaks, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is an invitation to reflect on our own identity. In the waters of the Jordan, the identity of Jesus as the Son of God is publicly declared. In the waters of our own Baptism, we are adopted into that same sonship and daughtership.

  • We are Chosen and Beloved: Many of us struggle with feelings of inadequacy or "not belonging." The Gospel reminds us that before Jesus performed a single miracle or preached a single sermon, the Father called Him "Beloved." Our worth is rooted in God’s love for us, not our accomplishments.

  • We are Sent on the Mission of Justice: Like the servant in Isaiah, we are called to bring "light to the nations." This doesn't always mean grand gestures; it often means being the person who does not "quench the smoldering wick" of a friend’s hope or "break the bruised reed" of a colleague's spirit.

  • We are Continually Living the Anointing: Peter’s speech in Acts reminds us that we are "anointed with the Holy Spirit." We are equipped with the grace necessary to overcome the "oppression of the devil" in our own lives and in our communities.

As we move into Ordinary Time, we carry the light of the Epiphany with us. The Baptism of the Lord is not just a historical event to be remembered, but a spiritual reality to be lived. We are a baptized people, called to follow the One who stood in the muddy waters of the Jordan to show us the way to the Father.

Here's an invitation to remember, re-visit & renew our baptismal calling – an invitation to “Come to the River”. 

https://youtu.be/15GppB5k3hc?si=jztP2VcDG1MWMbR4

 

Article by Damian Boon, HFC Blog Team Lead

Holy Family Church
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BAPTIZED! ANOINTED! SENT