Gospel: Matthew 3, 13 – 17
Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.
After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Homily
Some time ago one of our pro-league football clubs decided to appoint a relatively young man as the coach of its senior squad. As far as the administration of the squad was concerned, this young man had the qualities to take the team to the championship. The public announcement which the club made of the appointment told everyone that the administration of the club had full confidence in the abilities of their choice. It is true that they would send him to England for a stint in the coaching school but their choice had been made.
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This journey of Jesus from youth to manhood is the journey which all of us disciples of Jesus are called to make. Like Jesus we too are called to grow in wisdom and grace before God and men but often the concern is for growth before men but God is left out of the picture and because God is left out of the picture, the public commitment to be agents of the Kingdom made at our baptism and confirmation has no meaning. If that is our case God therefore cannot say of us as he said of Jesus; “This is my beloved Son/Daughter, with whom I am well pleased.” The lives of the saints tell us however that it is possible to grow in wisdom and grace before God and men.
That Mother Teresa of Calcutta was received by all, from Royalty to paupers is proof that this is possible. All believers will admit that in various ways God has shown the Mother Teresa of Calcutta was “his beloved daughter in whom he was well pleased”
As we celebrate this Eucharist we ask that growth in wisdom before God become our prime concern, so that The Father may say also of each one of us; “This is my beloved Son/Daughter, with whom I am well pleased.”
Prayer
All powerful and ever-loving God, you were well pleased with your Son Jesus because he grew in wisdom and grace before You and others and was totally committed to the Kingdom. Help us your sons and daughters to grow in wisdom and grace so that our lives may be lives lived in relationship with You and in relationships of true justice, peace and love with others. We ask this through the intercession of Mary, our mother and your Son Jesus. Amen
