1. Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10
Acts of the Apostles
10:34-38
Matthew 3:13-17
2. Biblical Reflection
• It may be surprising to realize that at
the start of his public life Jesus was baptized. But Jesus is a man of
surprises. John the Baptist was surprised to hear Jesus asking to be baptized.
“It is I who need baptism from you,” John said. Isaiah the Prophet, who spoke
on behalf of the Lord, had announced the happenings of today’s gospel (Isaiah
42:1-4): “I have put my Spirit upon him.” And that is what happened on the day
of the Baptism of Jesus. This hinted at the mission of the servant of God:
“Behold, my servant will bring forth justice to the nations.” From these words
the followers of Christ get their commitment to work for justice to prevail in
their own nations. John, the last prophet of the Old Testament, opened the New
Testament by baptizing Jesus. The two had already met while in the wombs of
their mothers, Elizabeth and Mary: “And the child leaped in her womb,” as do
even the children whose mothers want to abort! Science cannot deny that the
unborn is alive.
• Now Jesus and John meet in the open, in
front of those who wanted to be cleansed in their hearts and baptized by John.
From the dialogue we understand that they already knew each other rather well:
“I need to be baptized by you.” It is true that we need to be baptized by Jesus
as the king of justice and mercy, and live and show justice and mercy. The
Baptism of John was for repentance. Jesus had nothing to repent, but he asked
for it to underline that baptism is the starting point of a new life and a new
personal covenant with God. He is the one, God himself made flesh, and his
ministry is marked and begun with His baptism. John protests, and Jesus
insists. From that Baptism, Jesus and the people know that He is the beloved
Son of God.
3. Link with the Social Doctrine of the
Church
• Many people today in leadership
positions and their responsibilities have devised ways to switch blame to
others. Institutions excuse their failure by loading it to others. When the
scenario of nobody taking responsibility of a mistake becomes a norm, then that
society is heading to ruins. But there must be genuine correction to failures
or mistakes that one is accountable. The church teaches that for the sake of
common good, the correction must not aim at ideologies of individualistic nature
or of totalitarian character. (Compendium Social Doctrine of the Church, No.
417 )
• John Paul II’s encyclical Redemptoris
Missio No. 11, 14 clearly presents the
agenda of liberation as the task of every Christian. Just as Jesus brought
integral salvation, so also those like him, the baptized, are called to extend
their activity to penetrate all that surrounds the human person: the political,
the economic, the social, and the cultural, while transforming these factors
into potential for life, for freedom, and for growth.
• While many Kenyans live amid
dehumanizing forces, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2442, 2039) teaches us to understand our responsibilities
and our duty to transform the pains of society.
4. Yes, Kenya matters!
• For Kenyan society, Jesus’ public
baptism is the sign of His commitment to be with us always, at our disposal, at
our service. He humbled himself for our salvation. His service should set an
example to the political community, which is established to be of service to the
Civil Society from which it originates. Our true life comes from our Baptism
for the sake of the world. We have to get out there and live it! The words
pronounced by the voice—This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased—are
also true for us. Our baptism brings new life in Christ. God the Father should not hesitate to say the
same words for each of us in our daily undertakings: I am well pleased with
you. The descent of the Spirit at Jesus’ baptism looked forward to the descent
of the Holy Spirit on us. How wonderful will it be to hear the same voice in
our heart: with whom I am well pleased. Yes, God the Father will always be
pleased with each baptized person who changes the ways of personal life to be
closer to Christ by fulfilling His desires and giving testimony in society. So
many are baptized and commissioned to witness among fellow humanity.
• It is doubtful whether God is really
pleased with our style of witnessing to him, a style so often marked by murder,
theft, dictatorship, misuse of power, neglect of duty. Let us beware of counter
witness, of fake witness: falsehood to earn merit when merit is not due. God’s
desire should be seen in our life: a life of fidelity, of truth, of honesty,
and of pure behaviour. Such are also the needs of our present society. Young
people must have the courage to be living examples of those values. Leaders at
all levels—religious and political, civil groups and NGOs—must walk a mile
ahead. Family heads, family members, SCCs, must all be living witnesses, so that
God the Father can tell each one, You are my child, whom I love; with you I am
well pleased. To hear that voice, we must commit ourselves to enter more deeply
into the mystery of our baptism, seeking to understand it, and growing in our
appreciation of its wonderful grace.
5. Questions for reflection in SCCs
• What differences have cleansing in the
water and the descent of Spirit at Baptism made in your life and in the lives
of others?
• Discuss elements in the lives of
Kenyans that may make God not say to them, You are my child, whom I love; with
you I am well pleased.
6. African wisdom
- A messenger is not killed. —SWAHILI
- One who refused advice was later seen
bleeding. —SHONA
- A man reaches old age if he has
respected the groundnuts of his neighbour. —KONGO
Outline prepared by
Bishop Emeritus of Nyahururu Luigi Paiaro, and edited by a team of RSCK-JPIC, The
Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of the Religious Superiors’
Conference of Kenya.
religiousconference@gmail.com
