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Commentary on the Gospel for Sunday, January 12, 2025
Dear brothers and sisters,
Peace and blessings to you all.
Jesus also participated in the spiritual life of His community. He prayed in the synagogue and immersed Himself in the spirit of God. This deepened His relationship with the Father. Like us today, He had access to the Scriptures—the Word of God—which told the story of a chosen and protected people. Through the Prophets, He saw how God revealed Himself. The Judges taught Him how to remain faithful to God. In the «school of the Word,» He learned to listen to God and treasure His revelations. Perhaps He wondered: “What is my role in all of this?”
At the same time, Jesus was growing as a person. He observed the world around Him: how wheat grew alongside weeds, shepherds cared for their sheep and protected them from wolves, fishermen repaired their nets, and mustard seeds turned into large trees. These everyday scenes spoke to Him about God. Later, He used these images to teach about the Kingdom of Heaven in ways people could understand.
Most importantly, Jesus watched people. He likely saw the same struggles we experience today—worries about the future, frustration with endless rules, and the pain of being excluded. Many were marginalized, whether because of religious laws (like lepers, the blind, or the sick) or social status (like shepherds, widows, and foreigners). His compassion for human suffering grew in a heart that was increasingly filled with God. How could He bring healing and hope to these people?
Then Jesus heard about a prophet, His cousin John, who was preaching a message of repentance and transformation. John had gathered a group of people eager to change their lives. Jesus went to join them, standing in line to be baptized, seeking clarity about what the Father wanted Him to do.
At His baptism, something extraordinary happened—a new epiphany. The words of the prophet Isaiah came to life: “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” This marked the beginning of a new chapter for Jesus. Confident in His Father’s love and protection, He began proclaiming the Kingdom of God, prioritizing the poor and the vulnerable. To stay connected to the Father’s will, He often prayed alone at night, especially when facing big decisions or doubts.
Jesus, knowing He was deeply loved, began sharing God’s love with everyone—extending blessings, healing the sick, forgiving sinners, and welcoming outcasts. His entire life became an offering to the Kingdom of God. It was a mission so great that it required His full dedication.
Of course, it wasn’t easy. Despite His message of love and forgiveness, He faced rejection, suffering, and eventually death on the cross. That’s why, at His baptism, God gave Him the Holy Spirit. This Spirit filled Him with strength, love, and light, guiding Him to live humbly, serve others, and fight for justice. These are attitudes we’re called to imitate.
What Jesus carried in His heart, He shared with all of us. He revealed that God speaks the same words to every baptized person: “You are my beloved child; I am pleased with you.” In baptism, God invites us to the same mission. Today, we celebrate that you are a child of God, deeply loved by the Father. He gives you His Spirit so you can face life’s challenges, with Jesus as your guide—the Son who perfectly fulfilled the Father’s will.
With Jesus, the image of God as a stern, unyielding ruler has been replaced. Jesus has shown us the true face of God—a God who only saves. Through His life, Jesus clarified the powerful imagery used by John the Baptist and the prophets. Yes, God sends fire to the earth, but not to destroy us. Instead, this fire purifies our hearts, burning away all traces of evil.
It’s up to us to trust this and take action. Baptism isn’t just a touching ceremony; it’s a declaration of intent between God and His children. Today, God asks us directly: “Do you want to be my beloved child, like Jesus was?” Many people are still searching for the Messiah, wondering where He is. What will you do?
Your brother in faith,