Let’s look at some of the main themes in the readings for the 17th Sunday of the Year.
1st Reading – Genesis 18:20-32
The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are filled with grave sin, causing God to consider their destruction.
Abraham “bargains” with God, securing the Lord’s promise that if only 10 innocent people are still living in the city of Sodom it will not be destroyed.
Psalm – 138:1-3,6-8
“Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.”
God’s mercy protects the humble who seek God in prayer and daily practice.
2nd Reading – Colossians 2:12-14
Through baptism Christians die and rise with Jesus.
It is the Cross of Christ that frees us from our sins.
Gospel – Luke 11:1-13
Jesus teaches the Lord’s Prayer to the disciples (slightly shorter than the one found in Matthew 6:9-13.)
The Lord’s Prayer is followed by a reflection on petitionary prayer, where the disciple asks and receives good things from God. (Note, this is different from the Gospel of Matthew which follows up with a reflection on forgiveness.)
When asked if he was the Christ, John the Baptist redirected the crowd to the coming of Jesus. His humility offers us an example about how to live our lives as we follow the Lord.
Let’s take a look at some of the key themes that surface in the readings for the Baptism of the Lord. Please note that there are options for the 1st Reading, Psalm and 2nd Reading!
1st Reading – Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7
Isaiah speaks of God’s chosen one in whom he is well pleased.
This servant shall perform mighty deeds that bring hope and life to the people.
1st Reading – Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11
The people hear of the one who will prepare the way of the Lord.
The herald brings good news of comfort and tenderness which casts out fear.
Psalm 29:1-4,9-10
“The Lord will bless his people with peace.”
Glory and praise is given to God who reigns with might over heaven and earth.
Psalm 104:1-4,24-25,27-30
“O bless the Lord, my soul”
God’s majesty is praised for the goodness of all creation.
2nd Reading – Acts 10:34-38
While in the house of Cornelius (a non-Jew) Peter teaches about Jesus.
Peter references the baptism of John and the power of Jesus to do good deeds.
2nd Reading – Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7
The grace of God trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires.
We have been saved through the “bath of rebirth” and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Gospel – Luke 3:15-16,21-22
John testifies that one mightier than he is coming who will baptize the people with the Holy Spirit and fire.
As Jesus is baptized, the Holy Spirit comes upon him in the form of a dove and the Father’s voice is heard from heaven.
A few years ago I was having lunch when I ran into Fr. Bob Koszarek, a retired priest from our diocese. When I asked him what brought him out for lunch he said, “I am celebrating the anniversary of my baptism.” The comment struck me, especially when he followed it up with, “Do you know the day of your baptism?”
The answer is no. Yet as I prepare for Mass this week I have made a commitment to find out. We claim (rightly so) that baptism is a crucial sacrament in the Church – the gateway to all other sacraments whereby we are configured to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Most people know if they have been baptized; my sense is that very few know the actual date.
Our faith is a precious gift – worth fighting for, worth dying for. Perhaps today we pause to recall just how precious it truly is…Jesus Christ poured out his blood on the Cross for us that we might have eternal life. His baptism was the revelation of the Trinity, where we hear the Father’s voice from heaven as the Spirit descends upon the Son in the form of a dove. Our baptism allows us to participate fully in God’s presence for the grace and guidance we need.
I invite us today to claim our baptism. Some simple steps:
Thank the Lord for the gift of faith to know Jesus and live as a Christian disciple
Embrace your faith through study and prayer
Serve others in the name of Jesus Christ (and with his help and strength)
Allow your life to bring Good News to the World
Our baptism is not a one time event. Rather, it is an ongoing expression of Christ working through us. May the Baptism of the Lord inspire us to live our faith with joy as we engage our lives with his power.
St. Peter exhorts the crowd to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. We hear these words in this Easter season because repentance is an ongoing part of our life in the Lord.
The baptism of Jesus recalls the gift of our own baptism and how our lives are now configured to Christ. May we live this great gift as we put our faith into practice.
Jesus speaks with Nicodemus about the Holy Spirit. We have received this Spirit in our hearts at Baptism, and the Lord gives us the strength and wisdom to make our way through this life to Heaven. Our task: to let the Spirit work in our lives!
Philip took time to instruct the Ethiopian eunuch about the book of the prophet Isaiah, which led to his conversion and baptism. Every day we have opportunities to share our faith and help guide others so that they can grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Three Great Things 