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 Baptism of the Lord, Year A: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: We are collaborators in Christ’s mission

Readings: Is 42:1-4,6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Mt 3:13-17

Dear brothers and sisters, today the Church celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan by John the Baptist. This feast not only concludes the Christmas season but also marks the beginning of the Church’s Ordinary Time. The baptism of Jesus inaugurated His public ministry, after thirty years of hidden life in Galilee in preparation for the mission of redeeming humanity. On the day of His baptism, as we heard in today’s Gospel, the Father and the Holy Spirit publicly confirmed and revealed His mission before the crowd gathered around John.

Something remarkable happened at this baptism, according to Matthew’s Gospel. John initially refused to baptize Jesus, recognizing Him as the Christ and knowing that He was without sin. But Jesus insisted, saying it was necessary “to fulfil all righteousness.” Jesus chose to be baptized so that He might identify with us sinners, the very people He came to redeem. Through His baptism, Jesus made the sacrament of baptism a profound point of contact between Himself and those He saves. In baptism, He washes away our sins, makes us heirs of the Father’s kingdom, and commissions us as disciples who share in His mission. Our baptism not only grants us divine sonship; it also makes us collaborators in Christ’s mission, a mission we embrace through our baptismal promises.

Let us reflect briefly on this mission we have inherited. In today’s first reading, the prophet Isaiah outlines the mission of the Servant of God, who is Jesus Christ. He is the Chosen One who brings justice to the nations and perseveres in this mission. He is meek and humble, for “a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench.” He is a light to the nations, opening the eyes of the blind and freeing prisoners from darkness.

In the second reading, St. Peter describes how Jesus lived out this mission: He went about doing good, healing all who were oppressed by the devil, and showing no partiality.

Dear friends, as we enter Ordinary Time, the Church reminds us of Christ’s mission, outlined by Isaiah and Peter—a mission we have inherited through baptism. Our task this year is to carry this mission wherever we go and in whatever we do.

Looking at Christ’s mission, the Church reminds us that it is the vocation of all the baptized to fight for justice and ensure that no one suffers injustice under our watch. How faithful have we been to this call? Do we allow injustice to persist in our presence? Do we remain silent when we should defend what is right? Do we still speak for those who have no one to speak for them? Innocent people suffer whenever those called to defend justice choose silence. Our challenge this year is to speak for justice.

Again, Christ’s mission calls us to be meek and humble in our service, rejecting pride and arrogance, and working with integrity. It also calls us to be bearers of Christ’s light and teaching, beginning with our families and friends. Our mission this year includes helping the helpless and doing good to all we encounter. In the second reading, Peter said Jesus “went about doing good.” As collaborators in His mission, we too must leave traces of goodness in the lives of those we meet and in every place we go. St. Peter reminds us to serve without partiality or favouritism.

Dear friends, as we enter Ordinary Time, let us remain faithful to the mission we have embraced through baptism. Let us pray that our baptismal promises may be renewed and strengthened as we remember the baptism of Christ.

Peace be with you.

Rev. Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima