January 12, 2025
by George Butterfield
Creighton University - retired
click here for photo and information about the writer

The Baptism of the Lord
Lectionary: 21


Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Psalms 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10
Acts 10:34-38
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

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Praying Ordinary Time

Today’s first reading has two options. The first option emphasizes that the chosen one whom the Lord will send will bring about the victory of justice. How will he do this? Not by shouting or violence. He’s so gentle that he won’t even quench a smoldering wick. It will be through his teaching and bringing light to those in darkness. What a lesson for us! Instead of shouting down those we disagree with, why not “open the eyes of the blind”? That might include my eyes, too. The second option for the first reading says something similar. The glorious, powerful Lord is coming. He will rule “by a strong arm.” What will that look like? Like a shepherd who gathers the lambs and carries them in his bosom, leading the ewes with care. He is gentle and humble of heart.

There are also two options for the Responsorial Psalm. Both emphasize the majesty, glory, and holiness of God. The whole creation praises God. It reminds me of what Jesus said to those who criticized his followers on Palm Sunday for crying out Hosanna. He told them that, if his disciples didn’t do it, the rocks would cry out. Even the rocks know the Lord.

The first option for the second reading includes Saint Peter’s words to the household of Cornelius, the first Gentile converts. It was possibly chosen because it emphasizes that the story of Jesus began with the baptism of John. After his baptism, his ministry took off. Second reading option number two comes from Saint Paul’s letter to Titus. In it he refers to the role of baptism in the life of Jesus’ disciples. Jesus came to cleanse us, and he does this “through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Notice that baptism is not a righteous deed that saves us. We are saved by his mercy, justified by his grace.

The Gospel makes this clear. I do not baptize myself, unlike the Apostle E.F. in the movie, The Apostle. Someone else baptizes us. Yet, they do it simply as Jesus’ representative on earth. He is actually the one who baptizes us “with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Think also of how our baptism is like Jesus’ baptism. The Son goes into the water, the Holy Spirit descends, and the Father speaks. With us, a son or daughter goes into the water, the Spirit descends, and the Father still speaks: “You are my beloved Son (or Daughter); with you I am well pleased.”

How beautiful it is to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. After my baptism, I went into our back yard which was partially covered with flagstone (my wife and I love stone). I didn’t have to listen that closely to hear the stones crying out, “Glory to God in the highest!”

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