Dear sisters and brothers, After baptism is mission. Fr. Cielo

1. Welcome to our Bible
Study
Baptism of the Lord C
10 January 2016
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1st
reading: Isaiah 40,1-5.9-11
 1 Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. 2 Speak
tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at
an end, her guilt is expiated; Indeed, she has received from the
hand of the LORD double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries out: In
the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the
wasteland a highway for our God! 4 Every valley shall be filled
in, every mountain and hill shall be made low. The rugged land
shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. 5 Then
the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all mankind shall
see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
 9 Go up onto a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings. Cry
out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news!
Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your
God! 10 Here comes with power the Lord GOD, who rules by
his strong arm; Here is his reward with him, his recompense
before him. 11 Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms
he gathers the lambs, Carrying them in his bosom, and leading
the ewes with care.
The focus is on preparing the way of the Lord.The focus is on preparing the way of the Lord.

3. 1st
reading: Isaiah 40,1-5.9-11
 1 Comfort, give comfort to my
people, says your God. 2
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and proclaim to her that her
service is at an end, her guilt is
expiated; Indeed, she has
received from the hand of the
LORD double for all her sins.
3 A voice cries out: In the
desert prepare the way of the
LORD! Make straight in the
wasteland a highway for our
God! 4 Every valley shall be
filled in, every mountain and
hill shall be made low. The
rugged land shall be made a
plain, the rough country, a
broad valley. 5 Then the glory
of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all mankind shall see it
together; for the mouth of the
LORD has spoken.
Commentary
 The reading comes from the
Second Book of Isaiah
(chs.40-55). It is dubbed as
the book of consolation.
 Vv.1-2 comfort the people in
exile. The punishment for
their sins is over.
 V.3 speaks of a voice (of a
prophet) crying out to facilitate
(to hasten) the way of the
Lord.
 V.4 speaks of the imagery on
how to prepare the way of the
Lord.
 V.5 describes what will
happen when the Lord comes.
 God’s glory will be revealed.

4. 11stst
reading: Isaiah 40,1-5.9-11reading: Isaiah 40,1-5.9-11
 9 Go up onto a high
mountain, Zion, herald of
glad tidings. Cry out at the
top of your voice,
Jerusalem, herald of good
news! Fear not to cry out
and say to the cities of
Judah: Here is your God!
10 Here comes with power
the Lord GOD, who rules by
his strong arm; Here is his
reward with him, his
recompense before him. 11
Like a shepherd he feeds
his flock; in his arms he
gathers the lambs, Carrying
them in his bosom, and
leading the ewes with care.
 V.9 exhorts, in parallel forms,
Jerusalem to proclaim the
coming of the Lord.
 The coming of the Lord is a
big event.
 V.10 describes God
 With power
 Rules by his strong arm
 Reward is with him, also
recompense.
 He feeds his flock. V.11
 He tenderly cares for them.

5. Reflections on the 1Reflections on the 1stst
readingreading
 The reading should mean much to those who
feel oppressed, punished, and who want to
feel God’s presence.
 The coming of the Lord brings consolation.
 Those who await his coming must do
something to facilitate his coming.
 This is none other than repentance from sin.
 There is no consolation and lifting up of
punishment without repentance.

6. Resp. Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10
 (11b) The Lord will bless his people with peace.
 1 Give to the LORD, you sons of God,
give to the LORD glory and praise,
2 Give to the LORD the glory due his name;
adore the LORD in holy attire.
 3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters,
the LORD, over vast waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is mighty;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.
 9 The God of glory thunders,
and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
10 The LORD is enthroned above the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as king forever.

7. Resp. Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10
 (11b) The Lord will bless his
people with peace.
 1 Give to the LORD, you sons of
God,
give to the LORD glory and
praise,
2 Give to the LORD the glory
due his name;
adore the LORD in holy attire.
 3 The voice of the LORD is over
the waters,
the LORD, over vast waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is
mighty;
the voice of the LORD is
majestic.
 9 The God of glory thunders,
and in his temple all say,
“Glory!”
10 The LORD is enthroned
above the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as king
forever.
Commentary
 The responsorial psalm
speaks of the good effect of
God’s coming (blessing).
 Vv.1-2 exhort the people to
give God glory and praise.
 In vv.3-4, God’s voice is
amplified. It can be heard
everywhere. It can’t be
ignored.
 In vv.9-10, God as king is
enthroned above nature.
 God is forever king.

8. Reflections on the Psalm
 It is a Christian imperative to praise and glorify
God.
 Christians must recognize that God is king.
 He deserves all our praise and thanksgiving.
 We, as a community of believers, can properly
praise God in our liturgy, in our churches.
 God is best praised when we do it in one voice.
 In relation to the first reading, we praise God
best when we are transformed.

9. 22ndnd
reading: Titus 2,11-14, 3:4-7reading: Titus 2,11-14, 3:4-7
 11 For the grace of God has appeared, saving all 12 and
training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to
live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, 13 as we
await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the
great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave
himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to
cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is
good. 15 Say these things. Exhort and correct with all
authority. Let no one look down on you.
 3,4 But when the kindness and generous love of God our
savior appeared, 5 not because of any righteous deeds we
had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the
bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, 6 whom he
richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, 7 so
that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in
hope of eternal life.
The focus is on appearance of God’s grace.

10. 2nd
reading: Titus 2,11-14, 3:4-7
 11 For the grace of God has
appeared, saving all 12 and
training us to reject godless
ways and worldly desires and
to live temperately, justly, and
devoutly in this age, 13 as we
await the blessed hope, the
appearance of the glory of the
great God and of our savior
Jesus Christ, 14 who gave
himself for us to deliver us
from all lawlessness and to
cleanse for himself a people as
his own, eager to do what is
good. 15 Say these things.
Exhort and correct with all
authority. Let no one look
down on you.
Commentary
 In vv.11-12, Paul (not the real
author) says to Bishop Titus
that God’s grace is here.
 God’s grace helps us to reject
evil and to live holy lives.
 V.13 gives the time-frame for
living godly life: until Jesus
comes again in glory
(parousia).
 V.14 describes Jesus as
coming to save us from sin
(lawlessness, anomia), and to
cleanse us from sin.
 In v.15, Paul exhorts Titus to
use his authority to teach all
these things and not to allow
anyone to belittle him as a
bishop.

11. 2nd
reading: Titus 2,11-14, 3:4-7
 3,4 But when the
kindness and generous
love of God our savior
appeared, 5 not
because of any
righteous deeds we had
done but because of his
mercy, he saved us
through the bath of
rebirth and renewal by
the holy Spirit, 6 whom
he richly poured out on
us through Jesus Christ
our savior, 7 so that we
might be justified by his
grace and become heirs
in hope of eternal life.
 Vv.4-7 acknowledge the
presence (appearance) of
God’s love, not because of
human doing, but because
of God’s mercy.
 We have been saved
through our baptism
(rebirth) and confirmation
(renewal by the Holy Spirit)
through Jesus Christ.
 We inherit heaven because
of the merits of Christ.

12. Reflections on the 2nd
reading
 We, Christians, especially Catholics should stop
thinking that we earn our own salvation.
 We are saved by the merits of Jesus Christ.
 The process in which Jesus effects salvation in us
is our rebirth (in baptism).
 We have to cooperate with God’s grace, by living
justly, temperately, and with piety, as baptized
people.
 We do not deserve God’s salvation if we don’t
turn away from our sinful ways, and, if we don’t
allow the Holy Spirit to lead us.

13. Gospel reading: Luke 3,15-16.21-22Gospel reading: Luke 3,15-16.21-22
 15 The people were filled with expectation, and all were
asking in their hearts whether John might be the
Messiah. 16 John answered them all, saying, "I am
baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is
coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his
sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.
 21 After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also
had been baptized and was praying, heaven was
opened 22 and the holy Spirit descended upon him in
bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven,
"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
The focus is on the baptism of Jesus.

14. Gospel reading: Luke 3,15-16.21-22Gospel reading: Luke 3,15-16.21-22
John, not the Messiah
 15 The people were filled with expectation, and all were
asking in their hearts whether John might be the
Messiah. 16 John answered them all, saying, "I am
baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is
coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his
sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.
Jesus, the Messiah
 21 After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also
had been baptized and was praying, heaven was
opened 22 and the holy Spirit descended upon him in
bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven,
"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
A simple outline!

15. Gospel reading: Luke 3,15-16.21-22
John, not the Messiah
 15 The people were filled
with expectation, and all
were asking in their
hearts whether John
might be the Messiah. 16
John answered them all,
saying, "I am baptizing
you with water, but one
mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen
the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with
the holy Spirit and fire.
Jesus, the Messiah
 21 After all the people
had been baptized and
Jesus also had been
baptized and was
praying, heaven was
opened 22 and the holy
Spirit descended upon
him in bodily form like a
dove. And a voice came
from heaven, "You are my
beloved Son; with you I
am well pleased."
Commentary
 V.15 indicates that the people regard John
so highly, so much so that they think he is
the Messiah.
 In v.16, John clarifies he is not the Messiah.
 The Messiah is mightier than he is.
 The Messiah will baptize them with holy Spirit
and fire, not just water.
 V.21 indicates that all the people have been
baptized, including Jesus.
 V.21 seems to indicate that his work is over.
 V.21 indicates that Jesus was praying.
 “Heaven opened” means salvation has
dawned.
 Now, we can go to heaven.
 Now, the Holy Spirit can descend upon Jesus,
like a dove.
 V.22 includes a voice from the Father.
 The Father affirms the divine sonship of
Jesus.

16. Reflections on the gospel reading
 In baptism, God declares that we are his children.
 Baptism is not just a matter of God cleansing us
from our sins, or, a sign of our conversion.
 It is, first of all, a process in which we become
God’s children.
 When we read the story further (temptation and
sermon in Nazareth), we are led to think that our
baptism is a step towards combating against
temptations (the desires of the devil) and doing our
mission (the will of God).
 Our baptism is the beginning of taking
responsibilities as God’s children (saying no always
to temptations).

17. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalms
 The first reading asks us to prepare for the
coming of the Lord (through baptism).
 The psalm speaks of God coming to bless us. It
also speaks of God enthroned above the waters
(The imagery reminds us of floodwaters or waters of
baptism).
 The second reading speaks of our rebirth (in our
baptism).
 The gospel reading speaks of the baptism of
Jesus.

18. How to develop your homily / sharing
 We, preachers, must develop the meaning of
baptism.
 There are two baptisms to explain:
 That of Jesus.
 Our baptism.
 The gospel reading makes clear to us, in the
story of baptism, that Jesus is God’s son.
 The Father in heaven acknowledges him to be his
beloved son, in whom he is well pleased.
 The Holy Spirit (in the form of a dove) is with
him.
 Jesus is mightier than John the Baptist.
 Jesus is the Messiah.

19.  We should make the proper conclusions when
we learn about the titles of Jesus.
 He is not just an ordinary human being.
 He comes from God; he has an extraordinary
mission.
 Therefore, we should take his words seriously.
 We know later on that he is here to proclaim and
establish God’s reign.
 Jesus’ baptism is the beginning of his fight
against the devil (in temptations) and his mission
to proclaim the kingdom of God.

20.  What is the meaning of our baptism?
 According to our catechism, it takes away the original sin.
 It restores us to our original dignity.
 It is also the beginning of our mission.
 As we do our mission, we are also called to defeat the evil
one.
 The evil one entices us to violate God’s commands.
 It puts us into the test (inilalagay tayo sa alanganin, para
mapahamak tayo).
 It makes us doubt our identity as God’s children.

21.  Our baptism is our own conversion par excellence.
 Taking the imagery of the first reading, it is making the
way of the Lord straight. It is making the rough smooth,
etc.
 It is a way of welcoming God, who brings us blessings
and joy in our lives.
 Our baptism ends our agony and pain incurred because
of sins.
 The Lord comes to us in our baptism. He deletes all our
sins and punishment.

22.  In the second reading, we are told that the
mercy of God is richly poured unto us through
baptism.
 In our baptism, God lavishes us with his love,
mercy and grace.
 He does it to us through Christ.
 With Christ, whom we owe our blessings, we
inherit heaven.
 We are reminded not to backslide, to go back to
sinful ways.

23.  Certainly, in our parishes, we need a lot of
explaining to the people about the meaning of
baptism.
 Many Christians are baptized, but they don’t
know what to do with it in their lives.
 They are “sacramentalized” (baptized), but not
evangelized, not engaged in evangelization.
 The meaning of their baptism is not fully
explained or understood.
 Hence, we have a bunch of nominal or pious
Christians, but not committed, or have sense of
mission.

24.  According to canon law, catechism, both for the
adults and for the youth, is a part of the pastor’s
responsibility.
 Catechism is like preparing the way of the Lord.
 Well-catechized people are more prepared to
accept Jesus in their lives, in an enlightened
manner, not in a fanatical way.
 They understand better their faith and theology
and act accordingly or more intelligently.
 In this Year of Faith, let us review our catechism.
We celebrate the 20th
anniversary of the
Catechism of the Catholic Church.

25.  The eucharist is the sacrament received by those
who are faithful to their baptismal vows.
 The eucharist is not for those who don’t want
conversion or change in their lives.
 True understanding of baptism must necessarily
lead us to the reception of the eucharist.
 The eucharist is the strength of those who share
in the mission of Christ.

26. Our Context of Sin and Grace
 No catechism
 No budget for catechism
 Exaggerated baptismal
celebrations without
knowing its meaning
 No follow up after 1st
communion
 No ongoing formation
 Disease due to sinful
lifestyle
 Well-catechized
 Pastors and sisters who
are concerned with
catechetics
 Faithful to baptismal vows
 Christians with a sense of
mission
 Uncompromising with evil
and politics

27. Suggested Songs
 Sumasampalataya Ako by Fr. Marcelo
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGupNKiYt2s
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO_O7BLczhs
 Isang Pananampalataya by Hontiveros