ON A MISSION - BAPTISM OF THE LORD (1/9/2022) - Catholic Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans

by Al Mansfield

BAPTISM OF THE LORD
January 9, 2022
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Psalm 29
Acts 10:34-38
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
ON A MISSION
"Christ's entire mission is summed up in this: to baptize us in the Holy Spirit..." (Benedict XVI, Angelus Address, January 13, 2008). The Son of God was sent to earth on a mission: to reconcile mankind to God and to baptize us in the Holy Spirit.
Today we celebrate Jesus' baptism by John in the Jordan River, when the heavens opened, the voice of the Father was heard, and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove upon Jesus. On this day, Jesus began his public ministry - his mission!
ISAIAH
This reading from Isaiah begins with words that the Father speaks to and about Jesus at his baptism: "my chosen one with whom I am well pleased; upon whom I have put my spirit."
Jesus is the "Servant of the Lord" prophesied in Isaiah. His mission was foretold for centuries before he appeared on earth. Today we celebrate the fulfillment of this prophecy and a definitive step in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for the human race.
GOSPEL
The baptism of Jesus is described in Matthew, Mark and Luke, with slightly different emphases in each gospel. All say that the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus and the voice came from heaven saying: "You are (or This is) my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased." Luke, however, adds the element of Jesus' prayer after having been baptized.
Having been anointed by the Holy Spirit, Jesus is now ready to publicly embark on the mission given him by the Father: to baptize humanity in the Holy Spirit!
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
The second reading from Acts 10 is from Peter's sermon to the household of Cornelius, a Roman centurion. Peter states that the mission of Jesus began with "the baptism that John preached." Peter proclaims that "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power" - another reference to the baptismal scene in the Jordan.
As chapter 10 continues beyond today's selection, we see the Holy Spirit coming on Peter's listeners while he is still preaching, evidenced by the group "speaking in tongues and glorifying God" (Acts 10:46). Jesus fulfills his mission by pouring out the Holy Spirit upon both Jews (Pentecost) and Gentiles (Cornelius' household), as he has done ever since and continues doing today.
CHRIST'S MISSION CONTINUES
Jesus' public ministry and mission began with his baptism in the Jordan River. He continued to be faithful to his mission even to his death on the cross and his glorious resurrection and ascension. On Pentecost, Peter said about Jesus: "Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear" (Acts 2:33).
If the baptism of Jesus was the beginning of his mission in a public way, the sending of the Holy Spirit is the culmination and fulfillment of his earthly mission.
Have you had a personal experience of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in your own life, a "personal Pentecost?" Why not pray today that Jesus "baptize you with the Holy Spirit" (cf. Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33)?