You Are My Beloved!

Sunday, January 11, 2026

The Baptism of the Lord

Is 42: 1-4, 6-7; Acts 10: 34-38; Mt 3: 13-17

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord invites us to reflect on our baptismal identity not only in terms of our ‘being’ but also in terms of our ‘doing’ God’s will. In other words, we are called to realize the truth that Christian life and mission flow directly from our baptismal identity. 

The three readings of the day inspire our reflection with profound thoughts. 

The first reading from the book of Isaiah is addressed to the people of Israel in exile. While the prophet’s words proclaim comfort and restoration for God’s people in general, the ‘Servant of the Lord’ imagery in particular points to God’s direct intervention in history through His servant to bring about justice and restoration. The verses further reveal that God’s power is revealed through the servant’s gentleness to symbolize that divine justice will not be imposed by violence but realized through faithful and loyal love. More importantly, the text underlines the fact that God’s mission is Spirit-driven, not humanly engineered. Hence, the servant’s mission ‘to the nations’ reflects the inspiration from the Spirit of God. Here, we understand that the Spirit of God not only empowers the servant for the mission but also guides it to success by reflecting God’s active intervention in human history. 

The second reading from the book of Acts highlights Peter’s encounter with Cornelius, the Roman centurion. The chapter also includes Peter’s vision of clean and unclean animals to symbolize the fact that God’s redemptive plan is inclusive of Gentiles and not just the Jews. Peter enlightens his listeners with three dimensions of Jesus’ ministry that flow from his baptism. At first, Peter situates Jesus’ baptism by John within a historical setting. Here, Jesus’ divine approval and commissioning come from the fact that the heavens opened, ‘God was with him,’ and Jesus was anointed with the ‘Holy Spirit and Power.’ The fruit of such divine commissioning of Jesus is reflected in the way everyone, regardless of borders and boundaries, is now made the beneficiary of Jesus’ compassionate mission. God acts through Jesus, and the Spirit animates Jesus’ mission for the benefit of all. Thus, Jesus Christ is the ‘Lord of All’ and not just for the chosen few. Here is where the ‘impartial’ treatment of Jesus comes into focus. Jesus, the Divine Person, is sent by God into the world, and he chooses to undergo the baptism meant only for sinners. Thus, Jesus, who subjected himself to impartiality, demands that we do likewise in disseminating the goodness of God impartially to all. Our mission must reach out to all, transcending all borders and boundaries to drench humanity in God’s power and love. Thus, we are called to remember that Gentile inclusion (the mission to the marginalized today!) is not merely a social thought but reflects the ‘theological position’ of the Church by which the people of the margins become the ‘theological locus’ for the Church’s ministry in the contemporary world.

The scene of Jesus’ baptism in the Gospel contains a dramatic description. At first, we find the revelation of the Trinity at Jesus’ baptism. God makes Himself present in Jesus and affirms His love for Jesus. The Spirit of the Lord is poured out on Jesus to transform the missionary context forever. Hence, Jesus’ mission is not only for the chosen few but also meant for all. Jesus’ divine commissioning at the waters of the river Jordan is reflected in the universal scope of his mission. Secondly, we find Jesus’ radical solidarity at his baptism. Why would Jesus choose to receive a baptism meant for sinners alone? In choosing to be baptized by John despite his protests, Jesus declares his radical identification with humanity. When God comes to save His people, He does not stand away from them. The One for them is one with them in everything except sin. Finally, we find the Father’s recognition of Jesus’ identity even before he begins his transforming mission. The Father’s declaration of love for Jesus anticipates what His Son would achieve in the context.

The three readings help us with insights for further reflection and action. 

1. By baptism, we are claimed as God’s beloved children. But how do we retain the greatness of such a grace-filled state? We must be careful to reflect our baptismal calling in our life and action. Our life must become a witness to the fact that God’s trust in us has not been misplaced.

2. Jesus’ public ministry is inaugurated at his baptism. It highlights the truth that we are baptized into mission, not into privilege. The statement that Jesus ‘went about doing good’ (Acts 10:38) becomes a perfect summary of his selfless love. We must not forget that though our worth flows from our being, the extension of such ‘being’ is reflected in ‘doing’ God’s will. 

3. The Church’s mission is always liberative, and it is the liberative focus that determines her identity and life. Reflecting the missional focus of Jesus, who proclaimed a ‘socially engaged Gospel,’ is never an option for the Church. A church that overlooks the mission of justice and inclusivity fails in her mission to reflect the very prompt given by Jesus.

Let us pray that we may live up to our baptismal calling by weaving together our being and doing.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar