Dear sisters and brothers, The Lord's baptism signals the beginning of his mission, ours too. Fr. Cielo

1. Sunday Readings
Commentary and Reflections
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord B
11 January 2015
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 42:1-4.6-7
1 Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with
whom I am pleased. Upon him I have put my spirit; he
shall bring forth justice to the nations. 2
He will not cry out,
nor shout, nor make his voice heard in the street. 3
A
bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he
will not quench. He will faithfully bring forth justice. 4
He
will not grow dim or be bruised until he establishes justice
on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching.
6
I, the LORD, have called you for justice, I have grasped
you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant
for the people, a light for the nations, 7
to open the eyes of
the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and
from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.
The focus in on God’s servant and his mission.

3. 1st
reading: Isaiah 42:1-4.6-7
1 Here is my servant whom I
uphold, my chosen one with
whom I am pleased. Upon him I
have put my spirit; he shall
bring forth justice to the nations.
2
He will not cry out, nor shout,
nor make his voice heard in the
street. 3
A bruised reed he will
not break, and a dimly burning
wick he will not quench. He will
faithfully bring forth justice. 4
He
will not grow dim or be bruised
until he establishes justice on
the earth; the coastlands will
wait for his teaching.
Commentary
In v.1, God speaks. He presents his servant.
V.1 describes the servant as upheld, chosen, with
God’s Spirit.
V.1 also informs us of his mission: to bring justice
to the nations.
In v.2, the servant will work quietly, without funfare
or publicity.
In v.3, the servant treats the weak and wounded
with care.
V.4 describes the servant as stable. He will stay
strong until he has accomplished his mission of
establishing justice.
V.4b adds information that not only the people in
Jerusalem and hilly regions will benefit from him but
also the people residing along Mediterreanean Sea.

4. 1st
reading: Isaiah 42,1-4.6-7
6
I, the LORD, have called you for
justice, I have grasped you by the
hand; I formed you, and set you
as a covenant for the people, a
light for the nations, 7
to open the
eyes of the blind, to bring out
prisoners from confinement, and
from the dungeon, those who live
in darkness.
 In v.6, the Lord personally
speaks to his servant.
 God reminds him that it is He
who calls him and saves from
from falling down.
 It is God who formed him and
destined him to be a
covenant and light for nations
(macro level).
 V.7 spells out the purpose of
his vocation and formation:
 To make blind see, to liberate
the imprisoned, and enlighten
the confused.

5. Reflections on the 1st
reading
 The servant described here sits well with Jesus.
 For us Christians, the servant in Isaiah refers to Jesus
Christ.
 Jesus is here and his mission is announced to us.
 For us who are in need of liberation, freedom and
healing, we must welcome Jesus in our hearts.
 He is the one who is assigned by God to help us.
 We cannot help ourselves, given our limited
knowledge and resources.

6. Resp. Psalm 29:1-2. 3-4. 3. 9-10
 R. (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
R. (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 psalm is classified as royal psalm of
Yahweh-King.
Vv.1-2 exhort God’s children to give glory
and praise to God, with proper attire.
Vv.3-4 talk about God’s voice: over the
waters (dominates natural powers), mighty,
majestic.
In v.9, the setting is in the Temple where
everyone shouts “Glory.” (performance
level)
V.10 indicates where God-King sits:
above the flood (where other kings cannot
sit). God is not replaceable.

8. Reflections on the Psalm
 There is no great king than God.
 He deserves all our praises.
 He is not weakling; he is majestic.
 No one can take over his place.
 We must submit to his rule.
 When we give him honor, we must make our
volume loud.
 No to anemic, half-hearted participation in the
liturgy.

9. 2nd
reading: Acts 10:34-38
No partiality
34
Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, "In truth, I see
that God shows no partiality. 35
Rather, in every nation
whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.
The Word - Jesus
36
You know the word [that] he sent to the Israelites as he
proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, 37
what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after
the baptism that John preached, 38
how God anointed Jesus
of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power. He went about
doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for
God was with him. The focus is on Jesus of Nazareth
(baptized and anointed)

10. 2nd
reading: Acts 10:34-38
No partiality
34
Then Peter proceeded to speak and
said, "In truth, I see that God shows no
partiality. 35
Rather, in every nation
whoever fears him and acts uprightly is
acceptable to him.
The Word - Jesus
36
You know the word [that] he sent to
the Israelites as he proclaimed peace
through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all,
37
what has happened all over Judea,
beginning in Galilee after the baptism
that John preached, 38
how God anointed
Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit
and power. He went about doing good
and healing all those oppressed by the
devil, for God was with him.
Commentary
In the passage, we hear Peter the
apostle speak in the house or
Cornelius (pagan, centurion).
He speaks about God’s
magnanimity. God is impartial. He
does not play favorites.
God helps every nation that fears him
(Jewish and Gentile Nations). Vv.34-
35
God sends his word to the Israelites
through Jesus (Lord of all) who
preached peace in Galilee and Judea,
through healing, exorcising.

11. Reflections on the 2nd
reading
 Jesus is God’s instrument in making known his love and
concerns for us.
 Jesus has faithfully done his mission from Galilee to
Judea, right after his baptism.
 Jesus has shown God’s power through his preaching,
healing and exorcism.
 What more can we ask of God?

12. Gospel reading: Mark 1:7-11
 7 This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: "One
mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to
stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. 8 I have
baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the
holy Spirit." 9 It happened in those days that Jesus
came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in
the Jordan by John. 10 On coming up out of the
water he saw the heavens being torn open and the
Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. 11 And a
voice came from the heavens, "You are my beloved
Son; with you I am well pleased."
The focus is on the baptism of Jesus.

13. Gospel reading: Mark 1:7-11
Preaching of John
 7 This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: "One
mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to
stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. 8 I have
baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the
holy Spirit."
Baptism of Jesus
 9 It happened in those days that Jesus came from
Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by
John. 10 On coming up out of the water he saw the
heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove,
descending upon him. 11 And a voice came from the
heavens, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well
pleased."
A simple outline!

14. Gospel reading: Mark 1:7-11
Preaching of John
 7 This is what John the Baptist
proclaimed: "One mightier than I is
coming after me. I am not worthy to
stoop and loosen the thongs of his
sandals. 8 I have baptized you with
water; he will baptize you with the
holy Spirit."
Baptism of Jesus
 9 It happened in those days that
Jesus came from Nazareth of
Galilee and was baptized in the
Jordan by John. 10 On coming up
out of the water he saw the heavens
being torn open and the Spirit, like a
dove, descending upon him. 11
And a voice came from the
heavens, "You are my beloved Son;
with you I am well pleased."
Commentary
 Vv.7-8 indicate the contents of
John’s preaching:
 The greatness of the
Messiah
 His (John’s) unworthiness to
serve him.
 V.9 simply describes the coming
of Jesus for baptism.
 Jesus comes from Nazareth of
Galilee.
 Vv.10-11 describe what happens
after Jesus’ baptism:
 Heavens torn open
 The Spirit descending like a
dove
 A voice affirming: You are my
beloved Son…”

15. Reflections on the gospel reading
 John the Baptist has done an excellent job in preparing
the people for the coming of Jesus.
 John knows his role and limitation as the precursor.
 John is humble. He recognizes his unworthiness to
encounter Jesus.
 John preaches the greatness of Jesus.
 With Jesus’ baptism, the heavens are opened.
 In his baptism, God affirms, “You are my beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased.”
 In our baptism, God declares our sonship. We belong to
him.

16. Tying the 3 readings and Psalm
 The first reading talks about mission of God’s Word.
 The psalm talks about praising God. This is our
mission.
 The second reading talks about being begotten by
God.
 The gospel reading talks about the baptism of Jesus.
Today we celebrate the Lord’s Baptism. We must develop
the meaning of the Lord’s Baptism through the readings.
To really bring out the meaning of Jesus’ baptism, we must
take into consideration his context of mission.

17. How to develop your homily / sharing
 Discuss the meaning of Jesus’ baptism.
 Jesus is baptized with a purpose.
 It is a way to introduce him to the people.
 In his baptism, the heavens open and the Spirit
descends upon him and the Father declares
him to be his beloved Son.
 Attentive listeners will sense that Jesus comes
from God, possesses the power of the Holy
Spirit and has a big mission.
 Jesus must be taken seriously.

18.  Right after his baptism, Jesus begins his
ministry.
 The intelligent reader will presume Jesus is led
by the Spirit of God (given to the Israelite kings and prophets in
the Old Testament) in his mission.

19.  Through the first reading, we know more
about Jesus, if we believe he is the one
being prophesied.
 Jesus’ mission is to liberate us from
oppression and to establish a just world.
 Jesus is a person who treats the faltering
with delicadeza.

20.  The second reading presents Jesus’
mission after his baptism.
 His mission is to bring the message of
peace.
 He is itinerant. He does good works, not
only in his own hometown in Galilee, but
also in Jerusalem, in Judea.
 Jesus proves himself to be a faithful Son
of God.

21.  Let us also look into our own baptism.
 When we are baptized, God declares
publicly that we are his children.
 We belong to him, to God’s family.
 Our baptism is also the beginning of our
mission, that is why, the sacrament of
baptism is called the sacrament of
initiation (to belong to the Church).
 As God’s children, we are enjoined to
spread God’s love (Gospel of Joy, Pope Francis).

22.  We don’t live our faith sitting down, but
sweating it out.
 Mission is not only for the priests, nuns
and consecrated people.
 Mission is the task of everyone.
 The vocation of the laity and the family is
to give witness to Christ in their homrd,
work places and the secular world.

23.  Baptism leads us to listen to the Word of God
and reflect on it.
 Baptism leads us to participate in the eucharist,
the food that gives us true satisfaction.
 The eucharist is the sacrament that strengthens
us in our mission to spread God’s reign.

24. Our Context of Sin and Grace
 Unbaptized children
 True meaning of baptism
not known by many
 Baptism without
catechism
 Irresponsible godparents
(living immoral lives)
 Zealous missionaries
 Well catechized parents
who want their kids
baptized
 Sense of belongingness
to the Church
 Receives the
sacraments until death

25. Suggested Songs
 Go Tell Everyone
 Isang Pananampalataya
 Lord, have mercy
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpRghV_Ngnc
 When We Eat
 http://youtu.be/0qg_-wvSm7M