The Lord's Baptism (C)

First reading: Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 104
Second reading: Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7
Gospel reading: Luke 3:15-16,21-22

"He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire."

For the feast of the Lord's Baptism, we have the story presented
from the gospel of Luke. The gospel passage is composed only in
a few verses, but the description of the baptismal account of
Jesus, projects a bright picture of John the Baptist, the people,
and the presence of the Holy Trinity. When John started his
ministry to baptize the people of Israel, the people thought he
was the Christ. John however told them the truth: he is not even
fit to loosen the sandal strap of the Messiah. So when Jesus
Himself went to John to be baptized by him, even though He was
filled with God's glory and divinity, He still underwent John's
baptism as an act of humility. When He was baptized, "the skies
opened", the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove,
and the Father spoke from heaven: "You are My Beloved Son. On You
My favor rests."

In his sermon for the feast of the Lord's Baptism, St. Gregory
Nazianzen explains how we share in that baptism of our Lord. He
says that as Jesus rose from the waters of the Jordan river, where
He was baptized by His cousin John, "we and the whole world rise
with Christ". Christ, our Redeemer, entered our human history
so that by His baptism from John, and our baptism "in the Holy
Spirit and in fire", we may be cleansed entirely of all stain of
original sin. St. Gregory Nazianzen continues to add that God
wants us to "become a living force for all" - "radiant lights
shining as we stand beside Christ, the great Light".

For many of us who were baptized as infants, we tend to forget
the importance of our baptism, and how Christ becomes the center
of our life through the sacrament. But this feast of the Lord's
Baptism can now remind us to see Christ not only as central to
our Christian life, but also how He and ourselves are related
to the Trinity. By our sharing in the baptism of our Lord, we
now share in the life of the Trinity. And by our baptism with
Christ, we are called to a continuous cleansing and purification
of our heart from sin throughout our whole Christian life. We can
be reminded of this responsibility every time we celebrate the
Eucharist. The gift of the Eucharist reminds us that God became
man to redeem us from our sinfulness. Christ was faithful until
the end. As a Christian, we can evaluate how we are faithful also
to our baptism, and how we have failed in our responsibility for
the gift of life Christ gives us in baptism. If ever we have been
unfaithful to the Lord, what can I do to regain that faithfulness
God expects of me?

Feast of the Holy Family (C)

First reading: 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 84
Second reading: 1 John 3:2, 21-24
Gospel reading: Luke 4:41-52

"Did you know I had to be in My Father's house?"

The gospel for the Feast of the Holy Family (C) is also used as
a source of meditation for the 5th joyful mystery of the rosary:
the Finding at the Temple. This gospel story we already know by
heart since our childhood. The story reminds us of how Joseph
and Mary went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, and did
not know that the child Jesus remained behind. So when Joseph
and Mary noticed that He was not in their company, they went back
to Jerusalem to search for Him. On the third day they found Him
in the temple with the teachers. Mary asked Jesus why He had done
this. And Jesus replied: "did you not know I had to be in My
Father's house?"

The Son of God was incarnated into a human family. Joseph is the
example par excellence of what a Christian father is called to be,
and Mary is the best model of what a Christian mother is called
to be. The gospel also states that Jesus, after His visit to the
Temple, returned with His parents to Nazareth and was obedient
to them. Catholic tradition tells us that Jesus lived a hidden
life with Joseph and Mary at Nazareth (progressing steadily in
wisdom and age and grace before God and men) from the age of 12
until 30. At 30, Jesus started His public ministry - a mission
that was to establish a greater family under God through the
Church.

It is at Christmas time that we are given the opportunity to
reunite again with family and relatives. Our Catholic faith was
cradled in the family. As we grow, mature and take on the
responsibility of adults, those who decide to start a family pass
on the same faith to their children. Maybe this is the time we
can reflect what values we pass on to our children? Are the
values I pass on Christian values or values more related to our
secular lifestyle? What Christian value or virtue do I see in
the Holy Family at Nazareth that inspires me to live out, and
also teach my children? Do I thank the Lord for the gift of
family life and love?

4th Sunday of Advent (C)

First reading: Micah 5:1-4
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 80
Second reading: Hebrews 10:5-10
Gospel reading: Luke 1:39-45

"Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your
womb."

The gospel for the 4th Sunday of Advent narrates what we know as
the second joyful mystery of the rosary: the Visitation. This
Christian mystery tells the greatness of God's work - how Mary
with the Son of God in her womb, went in haste to Elizabeth, her
cousin, previously childless, but now blessed with a child in
her womb. Mary, knowing that her cousin Elizabeth would need help
in childbirth (because of Elizabeth's age) went in haste to
Elizabeth, despite her being pregnant with Christ, the Messiah.
Upon visiting Elizabeth, Mary was commended well by her cousin:
"Blessed are you who trusted that God's word would be fulfilled."

Many bible commentators would interpret this passage in Luke as
filled with the themes of service, availability, and charity. It
would be remarkable to know that a young Jewish woman would set
our by herself on a journey to a hill country - braving the
dangers of such a journey alone and the risks to her pregnancy,
because of her great spirit of availability, service and charity.
And the great favor and blessing Mary received from God, she now
brings to others: to Elizabeth and her household.

For many of us Catholics who have a devotion to the Mother of God,
we are also blessed and gifted with something unique and singular
in the Christian faith. Contrary to other Christians' perception
of Mary, we know that devotion to her leads us to a greater
devotion to Christ. If we study all the mysteries of the rosary,
from joyful to glorious, we will rediscover why Mary has a
special role in christ's work of redemption. And now that we are
nearing the close of the Advent season, the next important person
in God's salvific plan is a young virgin from Nazareth - whose
immaculate flesh is favored to conceive God's Son in her womb.
Maybe this Christian truth can help us to reflect on the many
ways we have been negligent in keeping our self pure before
receiving Christ in the Eucharist. Also, we can examine if like
Mary, we have shared the blessings of God with others. We can
examine our actions and see if we had made ourselves of more
service to others this Advent season.