MONDAY WAKE-UP CALL*_🗣🎤

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 / Acts 10:34-38 / Mark 1:7-11

*BAPTISM OF THE LORD *

Today we celebrate the third great ‘epiphany’ of the Lord in Jesus Christ.

Jesus is now an adult, probably about 30 years of age. He has moved from nativity to mission.

We are brought to the banks of the River Jordan where John the Baptist, a cousin of Jesus, is living out in the desert 🌵 and baptising.

Jesus’ baptism is a reminder of the reality that our baptism makes us all children of God, thereby making us all adopted brothers and sisters of Jesus.👫

Can we then say that the Father is well pleased with us in the same manner that he is pleased with his Son Jesus❓

Do we have a deep desire to imitate Jesus in his intimacy with his Father❓

In baptism one receives new life in Christ. In baptism one becomes a real participant in the Paschal Mystery of Christ, in his passion, death and resurrection.

Do we see our lives as lives of true followers of Christ❓

In addition, baptism also includes a call to mission. It is not enough that we are children of God and that we belong to the Christian community. What matters is how much such realities translate into action in our daily lives.🤔

The sinless Jesus humbled himself in being baptized by John in the Jordan like other people. His mission and life are encouraged and recognized in the blessing of the Father and the Holy Spirit: ”You are my Son, the Beloved, the One I have chosen."📖

The Baptism of the Lord is indeed an important day for Jesus as He begins🏃🏻‍♂ His journey of fulfilling His mission on earth. Following this, there will be many important days in His life which we will celebrate as the liturgical year unfolds.✍

As for us, there will also be many important days to come as our lives unfold in the days to come in 2018.

But as for today, may we celebrate our own baptism into Christ, and may today also be a day that we find out why we were born into this world.

Amen

Have a nice working week and good morning 🌞