The Baptism of the Lord

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“It’s the hardships we endure and the passions we feel that initiate us into our own particular areas of ministry.”

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Good News Reflection for:

The Baptism of the Lord
January 9, 2023

Today’s Prayer:

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for revealing to us our Father’s love when we are obedient and humble. Amen.

Subscribe to Today’s Saint Quote & Prayer:
gnm.org/SaintQuotes/

Today’s Readings:

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Ps 29:1-4, 9-10 (with 11b)
Acts 10:34-38
Matthew 3:13-17
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010923.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/2023-01-09-usccb-daily-mass-readings

Baptized into ministry

Today we celebrate the “initiation rite” that launched Jesus’ public ministry. We, too, have experienced this same Baptism: Our first Sacrament of Initiation immersed us into the life of Christ. The other two Initiation Sacraments — Confirmation and Communion — confirm this holy life and empower us to live it in union with Christ. Thus says the Lord God about you: “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my Spirit….” (see the reading from Isaiah).

What is this Spirit doing in you that is pleasing to the Father? How is this Spirit serving the kingdom of God through you? Are you giving this Spirit the freedom to continue Christ’s ministry in today’s world?

All Christians have been baptized into the ministry of Christ, but it’s the hardships we endure and the passions we feel that initiate us into our own particular areas of ministry. For example, children of chronically or terminally ill parents often grow up to become doctors and nurses, and many who escape and recover from abuses often become ministers of healing for other victims, and workers who suffer from unjust employers often start their own businesses and create jobs where the staff is treated the way Christ should be treated.

Whatever we feel passionate about, we have received this energy from the Passion of Christ through the Sacrament of Baptism.

Then, if we celebrate Mass consciously, paying attention to the true meaning of the Eucharist, our calling to ministry is renewed in the Sacrament of Communion, because Christ who is the Eucharist reunites us to his ministry. Thus, we can change the world, just as Christ did, one day at a time.

For this, you have been chosen by the Father. Whatever you are doing because of this calling, our Father is very pleased with you!

For a series of ministry discernment self-assessment tests, see “The Master Needs You” at wordbytes.org/ministries-of-the-laity/#master or download the e-book “Knowing God’s Will and Doing it Well” published by Catholic Digital Resources: gnm.org/catholic-digital-resources

© 2022 by Terry A. Modica

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