I Sunday in OT:[B]: Is 55:1-11,21; 1 Jn 5:1-9; Mk 1:7-11

I Sunday in OT:[B]: Is 55:1-11,21; 1 Jn 5:1-9; Mk 1:7-11

Story: There is a story of a wealthy man who had a double tragedy. His wife died in childbirth and the boy that she gave birth to was mentally handicapped. He hired a nurse to take care of the child. The nurse raised the child like her own son. The boy, however, died in his early teens. Heartbroken, the rich man died soon after. The man’s will could not be found and so the state decided to put the man’s estate and belongings up for sale. The old nurse had very little money and there was one thing she wanted more than any other – a framed photo of the boy she had nursed and loved. No one else wanted the picture, so she got it for just one dollar. She took the picture home and began to clean it up. As she did so, a piece of paper fell out from the wooden frame. It was the rich man’s will. It stated that all his wealth and estate would go to anyone who loved his son enough to buy his picture. The sales were halted and everything was returned to the nurse, whose dedication to the boy was happily rewarded. Accepting Jesus as the son of God rewards inheritance of heavenly properties. 

Today is the first Sunday of Ordinary Time. We inaugurate Ordinary Time by celebrating the Baptism of Our Lord. Before beginning his public ministry, Jesus was baptized. He considered baptism so important that - even though he had no personal sins - he nevertheless submitted to the baptism of John.

Teachings: Because of the importance of baptism, I would like to give the basic Christian teachings:

1. Baptism is a true sacrament initiated by Christ. The Church Fathers cite Scripture verses such as Mt 28:19 and Jn 3:5 to show that Baptism as a Sacrament comes from Jesus himself. Strictly speaking, John's baptism is not a sacrament but a ritual that involves repentance and a symbolic cleansing bath. Jesus would take John's basic ritual and transform it into a true sacrament.

2. Baptism can be done by immersion or infusion that is, pouring water over the head. Complete immersion has a richer symbolism, but infusion is equally valid.

3. In the form of Baptism it is essential that there be a distinct expression of God as One and Three. For validity, the person must be baptized "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

4. Anyone using the required matter and form - and having the intention of baptizing - can validly confer the sacrament. He does so licitly, however, only in the case of necessity. The normal minister of baptism is the deacon, priest or bishop.

5. Baptism is necessary for all in respect to salvation, whether they be infants or adults. The early writers, like us, had theories about those who - through no fault of their own - did not receive baptism. Still, they were firm in maintaining the necessity of baptism - that it is the only means given by Jesus to enter everlasting life.

6. Even infants are capable of receiving Baptism. From earliest times Christian writers testify to practice of baptizing the children of believing parents.

7. The effect of Baptism is spiritual regeneration. The baptized person is reborn by receiving remission of every sin and the infusion of first grace.

Exegesis: When Jesus came to be baptized, John the Baptist insisted that it was he who should be baptized by Jesus. For the Baptism of John was a rite of repentance and confession of sin. How could Jesus submit Himself to such a Baptism when "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth?" [1 Pet. 2:22] Jesus' submission to the Baptism of John was to demonstrate that He was a faithful Jew who obeyed the Law and the practices associated with good Jewish life.

Practical Applications:  1) Be a faithful Christian obeying the laws and the practices associated with it.  2) Acceptance and believing in Jesus reflects in practical life by our love of neighbors. (1John 5:2).

Introduction: Baptism of the Lord, First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Message: Jesus is the beloved Son of the father.  He is the light of the nations and Lord of all creation.  To him be all glory and praise.

Saints and Events in this week: 13 – Thirteenth – Tuesday – Saint Hilary, Bishop, Doctor of the Church; 17 – Seventeenth – Saturday – Saint Anthony, Abbot;