THE WORD
Part of a royal priesthood Lk 3:1-16. 21-22
The Baptism of the Lord marks the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus. St Luke tells us that after his baptism in the Jordan, the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus and a voice from heaven reveals that he is the favoured one of God. Now he is anointed for ministry.
Jesus’ baptism marks the start of his public life just as our baptism marks the start of our new life as his brothers and sisters. If we have been baptised as infants, it is our parents and godparents who took on the responsibility of nurturing our relationship with God until such time as we were mature enough to live our Christian faith for ourselves. Adult baptism, on the other hand, is a decision taken by the individual for him or her self. By asking to be baptised they have already discerned that they want to follow Christ.
But baptism is not the end of the journey. As in the case of Jesus, it simply marks the beginning. Washed with water and anointed with oils, we are prepared for the journey that lies ahead. Jesus asked to be baptised not only as an example to us but so that he also would be given the strength to follow his true calling. It is encouraging for us to know that Jesus, the man, knew his need of God.
SAY
“I thank you, Lord, for the gift of faith and for being part of your Church. Help me to serve you faithfully. Amen
DO
You won’t remember the day of your baptism (unless you were baptised as an adult), but take some time to think about that day and its significance. What have you been anointed for?
PRAY
Pray for bishops, priests and deacons who live their priesthood in a special way. Pray that the devastation caused to the innocent by a tiny minority of clergy will never be allowed to happen again.
LEARN
- Through our baptism we have become consecrated to Christ, part of a royal priesthood, a holy nation
- Through baptism, we are one family, brothers and sisters
- Our baptism impels us to play a full and active part in the life of the Church
REFLECT
Last June, on the feast of the Sacred Heart, Pope Benedict inaugurated the Year of the Priest. This year is an opportunity for Catholics to focus on the role of the priest and to pray for all priests and for vocations to the priesthood.
Pope Benedict is referring in particular to the ordained ministry, those who have chosen a particular way of life in the service of God and the Church. But priesthood is not restricted to the ordained ministry. All of us by virture of our baptism have been anointed into the priesthood of Christ, the royal priesthood.
This year of the priest is an ideal opportunity for us to reflect on our calling. Where does my vocation lie? How do I live out my Christian faith? If put on trial for being a Christian, would I be convicted or aquitted? It can be quite convenient to believe that simply by attending Sunday Mass we have done what is required of us. But Christianity goes much deeper than fulfilling the Sunday obligation. It is expressed in all our thoughts, words and deeds. As baptised members of the Church, each of us has a responsibility to work to bring about God’s kingdom.
Priesthood starts with each one of the baptised. Let this be a year of serious reflection on our vocation while at the same time appreciating and praying for those who have given their lives to the ordained ministry.
