Jesus’ Baptism by his cousin, John the Baptist, establishes our first Sacrament and sets us on our life’s path to be a disciple toward salvation for ourselves and all who we touch on our journey. It is the perfect relationship between divine and human because of the recognition of purpose for Jesus’ visit to earth and our acceptance that His sacrifice will allow us to be free of sin and death for life everlasting. So why is it so difficult for humans, created by God, to recognize we are called by God to fulfill a prophecy of love, faith and hope no matter what is happening in our world?
As baptized Catholic Christians our call (whether answered by our parents and godparents at an infant Baptism or confirmed by us at an adult Baptism) is to reject Satan and all his evil ways and to embody God’s love, mercy and forgiveness in our daily life. That written, I can name several times alone this day that I have fallen short in thought about what I think of several people who I “judge” as poor Christians. Yes, thoughts can be as destructive as words and actions when we think we are better than others even though we have not said it aloud or done something unacceptable.
In Deacon Greg Kandra’s article in “Sick, and You Cared for Me: Homilies & Reflections for Cycle B” he writes about how Baptism touches on Creation, Commitment, Community and Charity in how we practice our faith.
In Creation we continue God’s work by understanding who we are and will become. In our Commitment, we model our living faith in fidelity, enthusiasm and joy. Community is a combination of our oneness with God in sharing all who we are in both good and bad times. And, Charity is our great bond of love that uplifts, inspires and inflames us to be the Christian we have become by our Baptism.
As Jesus began His public ministry with His Baptism, we also in out Baptism began as an outward sign of this Sacrament instituted by Him to give grace. We are to live up to our promise to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength and all that He has created as Jesus loves us. That includes our thoughts, words and actions. All of it must be done in oneness with God’s ways. Just because we might be “right in principle” doesn’t mean it is connected with God.
We
must be consistent as God is. If God
seems to change His mind in scripture, it is usually because we as humans are
pleading with Him to do so and He takes pity to grant us our plea. The Sacrament of Baptism is a “Yes” to change
from our errant behavior to following God in His ways toward our salvation as a
positive force on earth and for after we leave for eternity. We cannot do that alone. We can only do it with God’s help. Baptism allows us to make an inner change, to
repent and find the purpose in our life for which God created us. It’s God and us in relationship!
Gospel: Mark 1: 7-11
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