Posted on enero 10, 2025 View all Gospel Reflection
New Beginnings…
As we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord this Sunday, we draw to a close the Christmas season and move into Ordinary Time. We are also entering into the new year of 2025. Drawing from the blessings of the great feast of Christmas, we are now invited to reflect on how we ourselves enter into the mystery of how we can live as true brothers and sisters in Christ.
In the Gospel today we see Jesus approaching John the Baptist to receive Baptism. At first it might seem odd that Jesus would think that he needed Baptism. After all, John the Baptist himself said “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Luke 3:16) But Jesus sought to transform the baptism of repentance of John the Baptist to a Baptism of Rebirth through His own upcoming death and resurrection.
When Jesus approached John the Baptist he had been praying and it is only fitting that as a fruit of his constant dialogue with the Father that Jesus would step up and establish this as the first of the Seven Sacraments. The Sacrament of Baptism would become the foundation of our salvation. Jesus came as a child on Christmas into the world not to condemn it, but rather to bring it life. (cf. John 3:17)
So as we enter into Ordinary Time we should give thanks for the great gift that we received in the season of Christmas. Jesus Christ came into the world to bring us the gift of eternal life and salvation. John the Baptist sought to prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. (Luke 3:4, Is 40:3) John the Baptist referenced the prophet Isaiah when he wrote about the “a voice proclaims: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!” (Is. 40:3) In the time of Jesus people were very familiar with the great public works of the Roman Empire. In fact, their great engineering marvels still stand the test of time as aqueducts, bridges and roads. I think that these works were by far the greatest factor in the success of the Roman Empire. They united the various provinces by making transportation easier, they allowed the Roman Legions to arrive quickly where needed and they were a means for trade routes to flourish.
In a similar manner, Christ came to do the same for us in the Kingdom of God. Through Baptism he unites us together as one people, as one family. The roads that unite us do not lead to an earthly city, but rather lead from our hearts to the heart of Christ — and ultimately heaven itself. If we work to make these roads level and straight we allow the great legions of God’s armies (the angels) to come swiftly and unimpeded by our actions to defend us against our enemies. Finally, if we allow Christ to be our foundation, then we can similarly share our gifts, resources and love to each other as a form of spiritual trade, the economy of salvation.
As we enter into 2025, let us truly work to be effective brothers and sisters in Christ and help to make straight the paths that lead all people to the Kingdom of God.
