The Baptism of the Lord – Cycle B – January 10, 2021 Affirmation: Being affirmed in our identity as God’s children and affirming our purpose Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7 / Psalm 29 / Acts 10: 34-38 / Mark 1: 7-11
I frequently say that God has more confidence in us than we do in ourselves. He recognizes the potential for goodness in us and our true gifts and capabilities, better than we do ourselves. Of course God should know this, since he gave us the gifts, talents and the capabilities that we have within us. This is all summed up in a few words: God is love; he loves us. Our Heavenly Father is quick to affirm what can often be overlooked or underappreciated. Without running the risk of presumptiveness, as God’s children, we can hold fast to how God is more disposed to affirmation than condemnation. The question remains, how do we respond to such divine affirmations? Appreciating the significance of the term, affirm, is a start: To bring out the best in persons and situations and reassert the dignity of others. In addition, to be affirmed is to be reminded of our vocation as children of God and brothers and sisters in Christ and how God calls us beyond self-interest to greater love.
The readings for today’s feast of the Baptism of the Lord Jesus all shed helpful light on God’s affirmation and how he affirms in order to strengthen our bond with him as well as remind us of our identity and destiny. In the first reading, Isaiah resounds the call of God to his people: “I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations…” The people of Israel are exhorted by the prophet to strive for greater heights, to aspire to the mission that God called them to and to recognize what God had done for them. This is a constant theme throughout the book of this great prophet. A two-part affirmation unfolds: Both God’s love for the people and their destiny are reaffirmed. Isaiah teaches the people that the best way to overcome adversity and despair is to recognize and believe in themselves by first recognizing and believing in what God has done for them and to trust in his promises. In other words, to recognize and believe what God sees in them. In today’s Gospel reading given by St. Mark, the people flocked to John the Baptist out of repentance for their sins and sought the baptism that he gave as part of their desire for forgiveness. They believed that God was working through him as an instrument of divine Mercy. But John’s baptism gives away to something greater, the baptism called for by Jesus, which gives us his Holy Spirit. As the Lord Jesus arises from the waters of the Jordan, he receives from his Heavenly Father what is perhaps the greatest affirmation ever spoken: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Jesus is affirmed for who he is – God’s beloved Son - and for his faithful response to the mission his Heavenly Father had bestowed upon him. This is no mere statement of the obvious, but the expression of what is most important, the love of God the Father for his Son. The identity of Jesus is clearly defined, but, more importantly, the bond of love is affirmed. Only when that occurs does the Lord Jesus begin his new journey, bringing about his Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation. God gives and blesses us with gifts and strengths, but with a purpose. He calls us to participate in his work of salvation and to make his message known. All that God gives us is for a purpose: to make his presence known to others and share his mercy with them. However, purpose, mission and destiny require a firm foundation and starting point: Relationship with God who has created and redeemed us and who has given us his Holy Spirit through our baptism. When we consider our own baptism and the commitment which flows from it, let us rejoice in being reaffirmed as children of God, our Heavenly Father, who are united to him and redeemed by Christ our brother. Let us rejoice in who we are and the holy purpose of our lives. Let us affirm our brothers and sisters so that they discover and share in the same joy.