Homily For Sunday The Feast of The Baptism of The Lord Year C, 9th January, 2022

 Homily For Sunday The Feast of The Baptism of The Lord Year C, 9th January, 2022

Readings: Is. 40:1-5.9-11; Ps. 104; Titus 2:11-14.3:4-7; Luke 3:15-16.21-22.

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

CELEBRATING THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD, A REMINDER OF OUR IDENTITY AND MISSION

Today we celebrate the feast of the Lord’s baptism an event which marks the end of Christmas season as we begin the first part of the Ordinary Time tomorrow. However, this feast is not just about the Lord’s baptism, but our own baptism as well and the renewing of its grace in our lives. The celebration of the baptism of Jesus reminds us of our identity and mission as Christ faithful. The feast reminds us of who we are and our obligations and commitment to God on the day we were baptized. This feast reminds us that Jesus received baptism not because he needs it, rather, it is to identify himself with his people, who, as a result of John's preaching, are now aware of their sins and of their need for repentance. 

So, from our readings today, we heard Prophet Isaiah talking about the promise of God’s salvation and the coming of the One through Whom God would redeem all of His people. He also talk about how God would send a servant to prepare a  way for his coming. And in our Gospel passage we see the manifestation and God’s confirmation of these two personalities. For when John had baptized all the people and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, saying: ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

 In the second reading, we heard Paul telling us that God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions; that we must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come, thereby stressing on the important of professing our faith in Jesus Christ which is an essential aspect of the rite of Baptism.  This of course, shows God's revelation to mankind especially about the mystery of the Trinity and also to reveal Jesus’ true identity and mission. 

Thus, the Catechism of the Catholic Church CCC 1279 emphasizes that by our baptism, we become adoptive sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus, members of his Church, heirs of heaven and temples of the Holy Spirit. We become incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made  sharers in the priesthood of Christ. Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other Sacraments (CCC 1213).  

Hence, let us come and receive the immortality that flows from baptism through the testimonies of water, Spirit and Blood which bear witness to the love of God for humanity. For we are told by one ancient author, that, this is the water that is linked to the Spirit, the water that irrigates Paradise, makes the earth fertile, gives growth to plants, and brings forth living creatures. 

In short, this is the water by which a man receives new birth and life, the water in which even Christ was baptized, the water into which the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove. And whoever goes down into these waters of rebirth with faith renounces the devil and pledges himself to Christ. He comes up from baptism throws off his servitude and becomes an adopted son of God and a co-heir with Christ, resplendent as the sun and purified.

Therefore, the baptism of Jesus reminds us of our mission that is, to experience the presence of God within us and share it with others, to acknowledge our own dignity as God’s children, to live as children of God in thought, word and action, to lead a holy and transparent Christian life and not to desecrate our bodies with impurity, injustice, intolerance, jealousy or hatred in order to grow daily in intimacy with God and be co-creators in building up of his Kingdom on earth. Hence, every baptism is a moment of decision, a moment of identification with the people of God, a moment of approval, a moment of conviction, a moment of certainties and assurance, a moment of equipment and indeed a moment of personal encounter with the Trinity.

Dear friends, today is a special day for us to remember the graces we have received at baptism in order to renew it. We can recall that  on the day of our baptism,  we were anointed with the Oil of Catechumens, the sign of Christ's gentle strength, to fight against evil. Blessed water was poured over us, an effective sign of interior purification through the gift of the Holy Spirit. We were then anointed with Chrism to show that we were thus consecrated in the image of Jesus. A white cloth was placed on our forehead as a sign of purity. 

Also the candle lighted from the Paschal Candle was given to us as a symbol of the light of Faith which our parents and godparents must have continually safeguarded and nourished with the life-giving grace of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, this is another day for us to renew our baptismal promises, consecrating ourselves to the Holy Trinity and rejecting Satan and all his empty promises, which our world is constantly projecting to us through all means of media and social communications. So as we enter the first half of the ordinary time, we are called to reactivate the grace and gift we received at our baptism in order to faithfully carryout the mission entrusted to us by the Lord.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift and grace of baptism. As we celebrate today’s feast may we rediscover in a new way the beauty of  our baptism and so be filled with the grace and joy of Christ’s presence, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Do have a fruitful Sunday celebration.