FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
(Isaiah 42:1-4.6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Luke 3:15-16.21-22)
There are different options for the first and second
readings for Mass today. The ones we have heard emphasize the theme of mission.
Together with the gospel, they give us a sense of the mission that Jesus Christ
has carried out in the world.
The first reading comes from the first Servant Song found in
the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. We read all four Servant Songs during Holy Week
because the anonymous servant prefigures the suffering Christ. The first song
indicates that the servant will be a "light to the nations" by
demonstrating God's justice. His mission, to do good for all without harming
anyone, will bring peace to the world.
Today’s gospel emphasizes the presence of the Holy Spirit to
Jesus after his baptism. He now has the means to fulfill Simeon’s prophecy made
in the Temple after his birth that he will be a “light to the nations.” For the
most part, but not completely, Jesus’ mission will be limited to the Jews.
However, his disciples will carry his Spirit to all parts of the world.
The Acts of the Apostles tells of the beginning of
missionary action to the world on the part of Christians. Today’s reading from
Acts shows Peter preaching to Cornelius, a non-Jew, in Caesarea in northern
Israel. Moved by the Holy Spirit, Peter has left Jerusalem to begin the mission
to the Greeks. His message is peace among the nations through Jesus Christ who
died for all.
We are baptized in the same Spirit that Jesus left to his
disciples. We must ask ourselves what our mission is. To whom have we been
sent? Certainly, we are not baptized simply so that we may attain eternal life.
For it is precisely in fulfilling Jesus’ mission that we merit seeing the
Kingdom of God. First, we are sent to our families and communities to teach
them justice. Mothers who tell their children to always do the right thing, no
matter what others do, are fulfilling Jesus' mission. Of course, our advice
will prove hollow if we do not demonstrate justice in every one of our actions,
even those unseen by anyone. In the film highlighting the life of St. Thomas
More, the protagonist tells an ambitious young man that he would make an
excellent teacher. Disappointed by the advice, the young man responds to More:
“And who will notice my service?” The saint replies: “Your students, yourself,
and God: not a bad audience.” By the way, More always did the right thing even
to accept martyrdom for not assenting to a law proposing that the king is head
of the Church in England.
It is quite possible that we will never have the opportunity
to be foreign missionaries like St. Paul. But this does not mean that we do not
have a mission. Living justice and teaching others how to do it is a necessary
mission as is going to Africa to evangelize. Christ has given us the Holy
Spirit so that we may fulfill it well.
