HOMILY FOR THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD (ORDINARY TIME) — YEAR C

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HOMILY FOR THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD (ORDINARY TIME) — YEAR C

HOMILY THEME: “YOU ARE MY BELOVED SON…”

BY: Fr. Arthur Ntembula

Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11/ Titus 2:11-17; 3:4-7/Luke 3:15-16,21-22

Was baptism necessary for Jesus? Did he possess any impurity requiring cleansing through baptism? Was it essential for him to undergo John’s baptism, which symbolizes purification? These are questions frequently raised during the celebration of the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

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In our discussions, we often claim that Jesus didn’t need baptism. While this viewpoint holds some validity, we can examine his baptism from another angle. John’s baptism focused on repentance and purification. Therefore, whereas others came to be baptized for their individual sins, Jesus was baptized for the sins of all humanity. His arrival on Earth aimed to restore what had been tainted. Consequently, his presence among people served as a source of purifying and sanctifying grace. He willingly subjected himself to John’s baptism, which was meant for sinners, to fulfill his mission: to live among the people as one of them, while also being their grace of sanctification.

During his baptism, Jesus aligned himself with sinners not to emulate them or because he was a sinner but to bring hope and salvation. As he prepared for his public ministry, Jesus chose to associate with those society rejected, providing them hope. His baptism was a testament to his solidarity with fallen humanity. He came not to judge the lost but to restore them to life through God’s forgiveness.

The baptism of Jesus served as a moment for God to reveal himself to humanity. As the dove (symbolizing the Holy Spirit) descended upon him, a voice from heaven proclaimed the relationship between the Father and the Son: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” This event illustrates the unity of the Trinity in their mission to save humanity. Additionally, the parting of the heavens and the heavenly voice signify that, despite humanity’s sinfulness, God sought to communicate with his people through Jesus. Thus, God extended a gesture of acceptance to them, embracing them with all their imperfections.

Today, we’re called to reflect on our baptismal promises and the gospel values we must follow. During our baptism, it felt as though the heavens opened, and a voice proclaimed, “You are my beloved child, in whom I am well pleased.” Considering how we’ve lived, would God still express this sentiment about us today? Or would He say, “You WERE my beloved child, in whom I WAS well pleased?” Using the past tense suggests that our current lives may not align with our promises and certainly do not reflect how a baptized Christian should live. Therefore, we are urged to self-evaluate and strive to return to the path that leads us closer to God.

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