Open with a prayer: God our Creator, you offered your servant Jesus as savior to all humankind. His coming among us opened our eyes to the light of justice, peace and salvation. By the River Jordan you anointed Jesus to carry out his mission; anoint us now with your Holy Spirit so that we can hear the word you are speaking to us. This we pray through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Sharing of life questions: Who were/are your godparents? Did/do you have a special or spiritual relationship with them? Are you a godparent? If so, have you been able to share your faith with your godchild?
Facilitator reads focus statement: This Sunday brings us to the end of the Christmas season. It is a bridge between the Christmas season and the beginning of Ordinary Time - this Sunday is another Epiphany story -- manifesting Jesus as the servant of God who will save his people from the slavery of sin.
If you have not read the commentary prior to the meeting, consider reading it before or after you read the scripture readings.
FIRST READING: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
This reading is the first of four Isaian poems that speak of a mysterious suffering servant who will be God’s instrument in bringing salvation and justice to our world. When Isaiah wrote these poems he was not thinking about a future Messiah, named Jesus. More likely he was thinking of a transformed and purified Israel who would be God’s instrument among the nations. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the first Christians saw in these poems a description of Jesus -- the suffering servant par excellence -- the one who through his suffering, death and resurrection brought salvation and light to a dark world. Modest, gentle and compassionate, this servant did not fit the popular image of a militaristic leader who would lead Israel to a military victory over her aggressors. This gentle servant would be empowered by God to carry out his mission.
The reading especially notes that the servant would "bring forth justice to the nations". Biblical justice has to do with "right relationship" with one’s God and neighbor. In and through baptism each of us is called to imitate the servant spoken about in this reading. We have in Jesus and many of the saints, especially those who were advocates for the poor great models which we, empowered by the Holy Sprit can seek to imitate.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM 29
"The voice of the Lord over the waters" connects this psalm to the Baptism of Jesus.
SECOND READING: Acts 10:34-38
This reading is an excerpt from Peter’s address to the household of Cornelius, a Roman centurion and Gentile. Because he opened his heart to the message of Jesus, he is saved. The key point in this reading is that salvation is available to all who open their hearts to God. "God shows no partiality."
GOSPEL: Matthew 3:13-17
In this gospel, Jesus comes to the River Jordan to be baptized by John. John has a problem with Jesus’ request because his baptism was for sinners -- something Jesus was not. Yet, Jesus insists that John baptize him "to fulfill all righteousness" (or plan). Remember that Matthew is writing mainly to a Jewish Christian community. He is anxious to show them that Jesus is the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. The "sky opening", the "Spirit of God descending" and "a voice from the heavens" all resonate with messianic prophecies that are fulfilled in Jesus. Many scholars also believe that Jesus insisted on receiving a "sinner’s baptism" as a way to identify himself with sinful humanity. In his incarnation, Jesus took upon himself the sins of the world. Finally, many scholars believe that it was during his baptism experience that Jesus became aware of the type of messiah that he was to become -- namely a suffering messiah -- like the one described in Isaiah 53 from which the first reading on Good Friday is taken.
FAITH SHARING QUESTIONS
1. What verse or image spoke to you most and why?
2. In and through our baptism, each of us is called to be a servant of the Lord a servant of God’s people. How do you seek to live out this call in your life?
3. In the second reading, Luke, the author of Acts, writes: "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him." Do you think that this means that Muslins and other non-Christians will be saved?
4. What does your baptism mean to you? Do you have a sense of being empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a Christian life?
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
Name one way you can act on this Sunday’s readings. Suggestions: Be more aware of your baptismal call to be the presence of Christ in our world and how you have received the power of the Holy Spirit to help you live out this call.
CONCLUDE WITH PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION
Pray especially for all who are preparing for baptism. Pray for all Catholics who have little or no sense of what it means to be ‘baptized in Christ’. ©