By Fr. Andrew Kelly
THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD – JAN. 12, 2014
“Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” These are Jesus’ first public spoken words in Matthew’s Gospel (Matthew 3:13-17). With these words, Jesus indicates how Jesus plans to live his vocation and mission made manifest at Jesus’ baptism: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
Jesus’ words and deeds will fulfill the divine promise of justice for all people. Jesus will do this by absolute and radical obedience to the Holy One whom Jesus calls Father. Jesus’ life will model the meaning of baptism. As Jesus says and does, so the believing community says and does. As Jesus is obedient to the call of the Father, so the community is obedient to God’s Word. Jesus’ ethical and moral standards will become the community’s standards.
Jesus first words are the community’s commitment to put into action Jesus’ words and deeds. The community’s only desire is to fulfill the will of the Holy One who not only called Jesus, but now calls the community to mission: “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.”
(Father Andrew Kelly is a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport.)
Scripture Readings for Jan. 12-19
Sunday
Is 42:1-4, 6-7
Acts 10:34-38
Mt 3:13-17
Monday
1 Sm 1:1-8
Mk 1:14-20
Tuesday
1 Sm 1:9-20
Mk 1:21-28
Wednesday
1 Sm 3:1-10, 19-20
Mk 1:29-39
Thursday
1 Sm 4:1-11
Mk 1:40-45
Friday
1 Sm 8:4-7, 10-22a
Mk 2:1-12
Saturday
1 Sm 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1
Mk 2:13-17
Sunday
Is 49:3, 5-6
1 Cor 1:1-3
Jn 1:29-34
