FEAST OF BAPTISM OF THE LORD, YEAR C

Isaiah 40:1-5.9-11
Psalm 103
Titus 2:11-14;3:4-7
Luke 3:15-16.21-22

YOU ARE MY SON

We celebrate today the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. This event is narrated in today's gospel. John was baptizing people in preparation for the coming of the expected Messiah. After Jesus too has been baptized and was praying three phenomena happened: the heavens were opened, the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove, and a voice was heard saying "You are my Son, in you I am well pleased".

The opening of the heavens reminds us of the shutting up of the gate of heaven as a result of the fall of Adam and Eve. Mankind was sent away from the presence of God. We were exiled. But now in Jesus Christ, God is reconciling us to himself. He has forgiven us and is opening once again the treasures of his gracious love for us. He is restoring that friendship with him. Our exile is coming to an end. This is the glad tiding and consolation that is proclaimed in the first reading to the people of Jerusalem.

The descent of the Holy Spirit reminds us of the Spirit of God that was moving above the waters at the time of creation, while the dove reminds us of the end of the flood in the days of Noah. All this tells us that Jesus Christ had come to inaugurate a new era, the era of grace that makes us new creatures in the Holy Spirit. This is the Holy Spirit that we received at our baptism  making us sons and daughters of God. We are therefore renewed and our nature transformed. We can now lead new lives for God, as St Paul tells us in the second reading.

As we celebrate this feast today, let us thank God for the gift of the sacrament of baptism and ask him to renew his grace in us so that we may be faithful to our baptismal promises.

Amen

SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY

Isaiah 60,1-6
Psalm 71
Ephesians 3: 2-3. 5-6
Matthew 2:1-12

God Has Manifested Himself To Us

We celebrate today the Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ. The word “epiphany” means manifestation, revelation or showing forth. Through a star, God revealed the birth of his Son to the magi in the east. God became man for the salvation of all. Therefore, he manifests himself to all.

There is no stranger in God’s plan of salvation. He leaves no one out. He adapts himself to our human condition. To the world, he reveals himself by the cry of a baby. To the shepherds, he revealed himself in a manger. To the magi, through a star. To the pagans of St Paul’s time, he revealed his love through the proclamation of the Gospel (Eph. 3:2-3.5-6). To us too, He manifests himself in various ways, especially in the daily events of our life and in the celebration of the Eucharist.

What makes the difference is our response to him. Our response must be to accept Jesus as our Star, the Light that enlightens all men. When we accept him, we must also radiate the light of Christ to the world. We must rise and shine, as the first reading exhorts us (Is. 60,1-6). Rising and shining are characteristics of the sun, which gives light, life and warmth to all. We are therefore called to shine in the world, covered by the darkness of sin, wickedness, selfishness, injustice, corruption, violence, hatred, unforgiveness, etc. May the Lord help us to become little stars that lead people to Christ.
Amen.