9 January 2022 The Baptism of the Lord

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.

From Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7, NRSV

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord when, as Luke’s gospel tell us, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus and a voice from heaven was heard saying, “You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.” Upon feeling the presence of the Spirit and hearing these words from heaven. Jesus would most probably have recognised the similarity with this familiar passage from Isaiah. This was the moment of realisation that he was the one chosen by God to fulfil this prophecy of the Servant who was to bring Israel back to the Lord and to be a light to the nations.

• • How do you suppose Jesus would have felt at this moment of recognising his mission?
  • How do those who are baptised share in Christ’s mission?

Reflect on your own baptism and on what this means for your life.

Image – John the Baptist Baptising Christ – Francesco Trevisani – 1723 – Wikimedia Commons