Baptism of the Lord

Today we celebrate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan river by John the Baptist. When Jesus approached John for baptism, John initially refused to baptise Him, because John's baptism was a baptism of repentance, because he felt unworthy, and also because Jesus should have been the one baptising him. However, Jesus insisted upon John baptising Him to fulfil all righteousness, since even though Jesus did not sin, He chose to be baptised to signify His union with the sinfulness of humanity, for whom He came to redeem from such sin.

When Jesus came out of the waters of baptism, things changed in His life. His baptism became the beginning of His public ministry. It also showed His close relationship with God as expressed in the words: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Jesus became an example to all of us of how to be in the right relationship with God by always doing what was righteous for the sake of building up the Kingdom of God.

By nature of our own baptism, we died to our old sinful ways and have risen to new life in Jesus. Our lives have changed and with it come new Christian responsibilities. We are called to imitate the example of Jesus by doing God’s will every day in our lives and by using the grace that He gives us daily to help build up the kingdom of God. Just as God gave Jesus the power to go out and spread His love in the world, so too does He give us the same Spirit to do good in the world. May we then go forth to proclaim the Good News with joy, enthusiasm and vigour; and do our part in building God's Kingdom, for His greater glory.

Housekeeping - Epiphany, Baptism of the Lord & Week 1 of Ordinary Time Year 1

For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

8 Jan 2017 - Epiphany
9 Jan 2017 - Baptism of the Lord
10 Jan 2017 - Tuesday of Week 1 Year 1
11 Jan 2017 - Wednesday of Week 1 Year 1
12 Jan 2017 - Thursday of Week 1 Year 1
13 Jan 2017 - Friday of Week 1 Year 1

Housekeeping - Baptism of the Lord & Week 1 Year 2

For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

10 Jan 2016 - Baptism of the Lord
11 Jan 2016 - Monday of Week 1 Year 2
12 Jan 2016 - Tuesday of Week 1 Year 2
13 Jan 2016 - Wednesday of Week 1 Year 2
14 Jan 2016 - Thursday of Week 1 Year 2
15 Jan 2016 - Friday of Week 1 Year 2

Housekeeping - Baptism of the Lord & Week 1 Year 1

For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

11 January 2015 - Baptism of the Lord
12 January 2015 - Monday of Week 1 Year 1
13 January 2015 - Tuesday of Week 1 Year 1
14 January 2015 - Wednesday of Week 1 Year 1
15 January 2015 - Thursday of Week 1 Year 1
16 January 2015 - Friday of Week 1 Year 1

Baptism of the Lord

There are many things in life which some of us long for. Some of us long for sufficient wealth, some long for job or financial security, some long for titles and recognition, some long for a good family (especially a good and loving husband or wife), some long for good health and being free from major illnesses, some even long for a better quality of life. But among all these things we may long for, the one thing which perhaps we long for the most is happiness. Some of us try to gain happiness in one of the many ways and things we long for, only to find that these do not really grant us happiness, since happiness is not something we can buy or achieve.

Happiness, as today's readings show us, is a precious gift from God. In the first reading, Isaiah tells us: "Why spend money on what is not bread, your wages on what fails to satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and you will have good things to eat and rich food to enjoy. Pay attention, come to me; listen, and your soul will live." When we accept God's gift of happiness, come to Him and listen to Him, we will be cared for and be satisfied. This understanding of happiness was also experienced by Jesus at his baptism where God the Father said to Him: "This is my Son, the Beloved, my favour rests on him." Even though Jesus experienced much persecution and rejection, He knew that what mattered most is that God loved Him and nothing, not even death on the cross, could change that.

God is inviting each and every one of us today to be happy and satisfied in Him. He is calling out to us, treating us as His beloved and His precious. We do not need to prove ourselves to God, and there is no need for us to run around in circles looking elsewhere for happiness and satisfaction. Let us seize this free opportunity to experience true happiness and true satisfaction in God, and let Him be our loving guide.

Baptism of the Lord

Why was Jesus baptised if He had never sinned? Jesus never sinned and did not need baptism for the forgiveness of sin. However, Jesus chose to be baptised to unite himself and share fully in the expectations and hopes of all men and women. It is not humankind that goes to Him, but He goes towards humankind for whom He came to redeem from sin.

Jesus' baptism also became the starting point of his ministry. His ministry was affirmed when "the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice spoke from heaven, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.'" This shows that Jesus had a close relationship with God and we too should follow Jesus' example by maintaining a close relationship with God, and by always doing what is right for the glory of God.

When we were baptised, we died to our old sinful ways and began a new life in Jesus. Have we truly understood the significance of our own baptism? Have our lives changed and have we been faithful in our ministry and giving glory to God? Let us not neglect our responsibilities and remain faithful in doing the will of God.