Gospel for January 9 2022 – Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
Gospel Reflections for January 9 2022
I heard a message from God!
I actually didn’t …but does it make you nervous whenever people say that? It should. Today’s Gospel about the Baptism of Jesus offers wise advice, and affirms why He came to John to be Baptized.
Who knows whether any “message from God” is real? Anyone could just make an outrageous claim and say it’s from God.
Catholics always check objective sources about any “divine message” to verify its authenticity. We know that God never contradicts Himself, so you can always ask if a new “message from God” conforms to the scriptures and traditions that God has already revealed. Does this new message help you better love God, your neighbor or yourself? Does this message agree with centuries of Church teaching? Finally, and most importantly, does it make simple common sense?
Every sacrament also has this same kind of public verification. We do not baptize, confirm, or absolve ourselves from our own sins! Our faith is not an entirely private event but must be visible, recognizable, and affirmed by others as well.
Jesus affirms this when He humbly presents Himself to John at the Jordan River and requests Baptism.
Our Lord affirms—even to John’s surprise—the goodness of this kind of objective review from another person, and willingly submits with a beautiful spirit of honesty and humility. His Father in heaven instantly votes His approval with a public message of acceptance and love.
All our Sacraments continue this kind of spiritual review. Confirmation sponsors, wedding witnesses, and priests in confession all assure that others see and affirm your faith, true commitment, and sincere contrition. There is a profound wisdom and good old common sense that Jesus had in setting up these sacraments in this public way. They help encourage the same level of honesty and humility that He had at the Jordan River and ensure the same vote of approval from Our Father in Heaven.
You might hear dramatic messages today about what to do from all kinds of sources. Ask the same questions. Does this new message help you better love God, your neighbor or yourself? Finally, and most importantly, does it make simple common sense?
Our Lord invites you to thoughtfully discern and recognize the authentic and reliable wisdom of God for your life. That is the solid and authentic voice of God we all need today.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Love the precious words, ” Love one another as I have Loved you!” That is the message forever in my heart!! Lovee you Father Dave for giving us the gift of our Jesus of LOVE!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, franca and Dick
Thank you!
I read a great book by Mary Lea Carroll titled SomehowSaints and it was wonderful. We should all try to join them in their devotion.
Great sign of Humility that Jesus would consent to be Baptized. Shows the importance of receiving the Sacraments provided By our Church. The value of being humble is shown by His consent and seeking Baptism by John at the zJordan River.
The Scriptures exemplify this as we proclaim them at Mass.
Thanks for these reminders you send each week to assist us in understanding this wonderful Faith we cherish and practice.
You are very welcome!
I hadn’t thought of the humility of Jesus in being baptized by John. until Tom Joyce mentioned it! Thank you, Tom. But as the Son of God, in allowing John to baptize Him, He definitely shows great humility & also love of John. We are so blessed by our Sacraments & I especially love the sacrament of Confession & forgiveness for my sins!! Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us!!
Well said!