HOMILY OF THE FEAST OF BAPTISM OF THE LORD — YEAR A

HOMILY OF THE FEAST OF BAPTISM OF THE LORD — YEAR A

HOMILY THEME: BAPTISM TESTIMONIALS / NAMES

BY: Fr. Justus Oruh

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

(a) One of the important ways to demonstrate that one has actually been baptized is by presenting a Baptism Testimonial or Baptism Card, as some call it. This document details the date and place of baptism, the name of the baptizer and sponsor, and the baptismal name one bears, among other important information.

(b) These details and testimonials are very essential because they attest that one is truly a baptized Christian. However, the Baptism of Jesus, apart from reminding us of all that happens when we were baptized, makes clear the true baptismal testimonial—namely, “He went about doing good.” John, who baptized Jesus, said that He would baptize us with the Holy Spirit and fire. The Acts of the Apostles tells us how Jesus Himself was anointed with the Holy Spirit, and how He went about doing good.

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(c) To do good is the true testimonial that one is a child of God, which the sacrament of Baptism confers on us. There is no achievement greater than the hunger to do good, the act of doing good, and being good to the people around us. This testifies to who we are—baptized children of God. Doing good was the actual baptismal testimonial of Jesus Christ. A baptism card or testimonial accompanied by an evil lifestyle means nothing before God. “God is not a respecter of persons; He accepts those who do His will.” When we examine the names of some hardened criminals, kidnappers, prostitutes, and home destroyers who perpetrate evil as a lifestyle, we find that many were baptized with good baptismal names such as Peter, James, and Maria, Cynthia, etc. Jesus was baptized; He was anointed with the Holy Spirit—true to His name- Christos, meaning “the Anointed.” May we have the hunger to do good, living true to our baptismal names and the promises.

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