(Editor's Note: CCUSA will be sharing daily reflections on Sundays and Solemnities between Christmas and Lent)

The Baptism of the Lord

Readings of the Day 

In today’s first reading, the Lord speaks of Jesus as his servant who is about to begin something wonderful – his public life.  He’s going to bring justice to the world, be a light for the nations, open the eyes of the blind, and free prisoners.  God is keeping his promise through Jesus’ mission on earth.

In the early days of his public ministry, when Jesus presented himself on the bank of the river Jordan, John the Baptist couldn’t believe it.  He had noted that there was one soon to be coming who would baptize with the Holy Spirit, and now they were standing face to face.  By asking John to baptize him, Jesus sanctified the waters of baptism, giving us a public sign of how to embrace our faith.  Today, we celebrate that great gift.

In many ways, Jesus’ baptism was a sign that it was time to get to work.  He spent his life reaching out to those in need, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, shepherding the lost and lonely.  And he built up his team, calling the first disciples with a simple invitation - “Follow me.” 

Let’s remember the day we were baptized – the day Jesus grasped our hand, healing us from the Devil’s oppression, calling us into an intimate relationship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, calling us to live in a way that brings God’s love into the world.  Our baptism is not a thing of the past; it’s a living reality.  The call for us to follow is the same as it was for the first disciples.  I went to a mission once where the presenter challenged us to “stay in the water,” living up to the high ideals of our faith.

The work of Catholic Charities does just that: it carries on the Christ’s public ministry.  We welcome the stranger, we feed the hungry, we shelter the homeless, we accompany the poor and the lonely.  We stand up against injustice.  And we call others of good will to join us in this important work.  Pope Francis sums it up quite well, “Catholic Charities is the engine of the Church that organizes love – Caritas – for all believers to work together to respond.”  What a blessing it is to be part of that effort.  What a responsibility in that we know how much more is left to do.

But even in the most challenging times, let’s remember we’re not walking alone.  As we serve and live “in Christ,” the Holy Spirit accompanies and encourages us: “You are baptized in the faith, you are beloved sons and daughters of God, in you, the Father is well pleased.”  In the big picture, that’s all that matters.

Deacon Scott Haner serves the Catholic Community of St. Patrick, Louisville, KY, and is a board member of Catholic Charities Louisville.