1. Welcome to our Bible Study
Baptism of the Lord C
January 13, 2013
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. The focus is on preparing the way of the Lord.
1st reading: Isaiah 40,
1 Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; Indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! 4 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low. The rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. 5 Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all mankind shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
9 Go up onto a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings. Cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God! 10 Here comes with power the Lord GOD, who rules by his strong arm; Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. 11 Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, Carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.
The focus is on preparing the way of the Lord.

3. 1st reading: Isaiah 40,
1 Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; Indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! 4 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low. The rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. 5 Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all mankind shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Commentary
The reading comes from the Second Book of Isaiah (chs.40-55). It is dubbed as the book of consolation.
Vv.1-2 comfort the people in exile. The punishment for their sins is over.
V.3 speaks of a voice (of a prophet) crying out to facilitate (to hasten) the way of the Lord.
V.4 speaks of the imagery on how to prepare the way of the Lord.
V.5 describes what will happen when the Lord comes.
God’s glory will be revealed.

4. 1st reading: Isaiah 40,
9 Go up onto a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings. Cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God! 10 Here comes with power the Lord GOD, who rules by his strong arm; Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. 11 Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, Carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.
V.9 exhorts, in parallel forms, Jerusalem to proclaim the coming of the Lord.
The coming of the Lord is a big event.
V.10 describes God
With power
Rules by his strong arm
Reward is with him, also recompense.
He feeds his flock. V.11
He tenderly cares for them.

5. Reflections on the 1st reading
The reading should mean much to those who feel oppressed, punished, and who want to feel God’s presence.
The coming of the Lord brings consolation.
Those who await his coming must do something to facilitate his coming.
This is none other than repentance from sin.
There is no consolation and lifting up of punishment without repentance.

6. Resp. Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10
(11b)  The Lord will bless his people with peace.
1 Give to the LORD, you sons of God, give to the LORD glory and praise, 2 Give to the LORD the glory due his name; adore the LORD in holy attire.
3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters, the LORD, over vast waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is mighty; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
9 The God of glory thunders, and in his temple all say, “Glory!” 10 The LORD is enthroned above the flood; the LORD is enthroned as king forever.

7. Resp. Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 Commentary
(11b)  The Lord will bless his people with peace.
1 Give to the LORD, you sons of God, give to the LORD glory and praise, 2 Give to the LORD the glory due his name; adore the LORD in holy attire.
3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters, the LORD, over vast waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is mighty; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
9 The God of glory thunders, and in his temple all say, “Glory!” 10 The LORD is enthroned above the flood; the LORD is enthroned as king forever.
Commentary
The responsorial psalm speaks of the good effect of God’s coming (blessing).
Vv.1-2 exhort the people to give God glory and praise.
In vv.3-4, God’s voice is amplified. It can be heard everywhere. It can’t be ignored.
In vv.9-10, God as king is enthroned above nature.
God is forever king.

8. Reflections on the Psalm
It is a Christian imperative to praise and glorify God.
Christians must recognize that God is king.
He deserves all our praise and thanksgiving.
We, as a community of believers, can properly praise God in our liturgy, in our churches.
God is best praised when we do it in one voice.
In relation to the first reading, we praise God best when we are transformed.

9. The focus is on appearance of God’s grace.
2nd reading: Titus 2,11-14, 3:4-7
The focus is on appearance of God’s grace.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, saving all 12 and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, 13 as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good. 15 Say these things. Exhort and correct with all authority. Let no one look down on you.
3,4 But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, 5 not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, 6 whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, 7 so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

10. 2nd reading: Titus 2,11-14, 3:4-7
11 For the grace of God has appeared, saving all 12 and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, 13 as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good. 15 Say these things. Exhort and correct with all authority. Let no one look down on you.
Commentary
In vv.11-12, Paul (not the real author) says to Bishop Titus that God’s grace is here.
God’s grace helps us to reject evil and to live holy lives.
V.13 gives the time-frame for living godly life: until Jesus comes again in glory (parousia).
V.14 describes Jesus as coming to save us from sin (lawlessness, anomia), and to cleanse us from sin.
In v.15, Paul exhorts Titus to use his authority to teach all these things and not to allow anyone to belittle him as a bishop.

11. 2nd reading: Titus 2,11-14, 3:4-7
3,4 But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, 5 not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, 6 whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, 7 so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
Vv.4-7 acknowledge the presence (appearance) of God’s love, not because of human doing, but because of God’s mercy.
We have been saved through our baptism (rebirth) and confirmation (renewal by the Holy Spirit) through Jesus Christ.
We inherit heaven because of the merits of Christ.

12. Reflections on the 2nd reading
We, Christians, especially Catholics should stop thinking that we earn our own salvation.
We are saved by the merits of Jesus Christ.
The process in which Jesus effects salvation in us is our rebirth (in baptism).
We have to cooperate with God’s grace, by living justly, temperately, and with piety, as baptized people.
We do not deserve God’s salvation if we don’t turn away from our sinful ways, and, if we don’t allow the Holy Spirit to lead us.

13. Gospel reading: Luke 3,15-16.21-22
15 The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.
21 After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
The focus is on the baptism of Jesus.

14. Gospel reading: Luke 3,15-16.21-22
A simple outline!
Gospel reading: Luke 3,
John, not the Messiah
15 The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.
Jesus, the Messiah
21 After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

15. Gospel reading: Luke 3,15-16.21-22
Commentary
V.15 indicates that the people regard John so highly, so much so that they think he is the Messiah.
In v.16, John clarifies he is not the Messiah.
The Messiah is mightier than he is.
The Messiah will baptize them with holy Spirit and fire, not just water.
V.21 indicates that all the people have been baptized, including Jesus.
V.21 seems to indicate that his work is over.
V.21 indicates that Jesus was praying.
“Heaven opened” means salvation has dawned.
Now, we can go to heaven.
Now, the Holy Spirit can descend upon Jesus, like a dove.
V.22 includes a voice from the Father.
The Father affirms the divine sonship of Jesus.
John, not the Messiah
15 The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.
Jesus, the Messiah
21 After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

16. Reflections on the gospel reading
In baptism, God declares that we are his children.
Baptism is not just a matter of God cleansing us from our sins, or, a sign of our conversion.
It is, first of all, a process in which we become God’s children.
When we read the story further (temptation and sermon in Nazareth), we are led to think that our baptism is a step towards combating against temptations (the desires of the devil) and doing our mission (the will of God).
Our baptism is the beginning of taking responsibilities as God’s children (saying no always to temptations).

17. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalms
The first reading asks us to prepare for the coming of the Lord (through baptism).
The psalm speaks of God coming to bless us. It also speaks of God enthroned above the waters (The imagery reminds us of floodwaters or waters of baptism).
The second reading speaks of our rebirth (in our baptism).
The gospel reading speaks of the baptism of Jesus.

18. How to develop your homily / sharing
We, preachers, must develop the meaning of baptism.
There are two baptisms to explain:
That of Jesus.
Our baptism.
The gospel reading makes clear to us, in the story of baptism, that Jesus is God’s son.
The Father in heaven acknowledges him to be his beloved son, in whom he is well pleased.
The Holy Spirit (in the form of a dove) is with him.
Jesus is mightier than John the Baptist.
Jesus is the Messiah.

19. We should make the proper conclusions when we learn about the titles of Jesus.
He is not just an ordinary human being.
He comes from God; he has an extraordinary mission.
Therefore, we should take his words seriously.
We know later on that he is here to proclaim and establish God’s reign.
Jesus’ baptism is the beginning of his fight against the devil (in temptations) and his mission to proclaim the kingdom of God.

20. What is the meaning of our baptism?
According to our catechism, it takes away the original sin.
It restores us to our original dignity.
It is also the beginning of our mission.
As we do our mission, we are also called to defeat the evil one.
The evil one entices us to violate God’s commands.
It puts us into the test (inilalagay tayo sa alanganin, para mapahamak tayo).
It makes us doubt our identity as God’s children.

21. Our baptism is our own conversion par excellence.
Taking the imagery of the first reading, it is making the way of the Lord straight. It is making the rough smooth, etc.
It is a way of welcoming God, who brings us blessings and joy in our lives.
Our baptism ends our agony and pain incurred because of sins.
The Lord comes to us in our baptism. He deletes all our sins and punishment.

22. In the second reading, we are told that the mercy of God is richly poured unto us through baptism.
In our baptism, God lavishes us with his love, mercy and grace.
He does it to us through Christ.
With Christ, whom we owe our blessings, we inherit heaven.
We are reminded not to backslide, to go back to sinful ways.

23. Certainly, in our parishes, we need a lot of explaining to the people about the meaning of baptism.
Many Christians are baptized, but they don’t know what to do with it in their lives.
They are “sacramentalized” (baptized), but not evangelized, not engaged in evangelization.
The meaning of their baptism is not fully explained or understood.
Hence, we have a bunch of nominal or pious Christians, but not committed, or have sense of mission.

24. According to canon law, catechism, both for the adults and for the youth, is a part of the pastor’s responsibility.
Catechism is like preparing the way of the Lord.
Well-catechized people are more prepared to accept Jesus in their lives, in an enlightened manner, not in a fanatical way.
They understand better their faith and theology and act accordingly or more intelligently.
In this Year of Faith, let us review our catechism. We celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

25. The eucharist is the sacrament received by those who are faithful to their baptismal vows.
The eucharist is not for those who don’t want conversion or change in their lives.
True understanding of baptism must necessarily lead us to the reception of the eucharist.
The eucharist is the strength of those who share in the mission of Christ.

26. Our Context of Sin and Grace
No catechism
No budget for catechism
Exaggerated baptismal celebrations without knowing its meaning
No follow up after 1st communion
No ongoing formation
Disease due to sinful lifestyle
Well-catechized
Pastors and sisters who are concerned with catechetics
Faithful to baptismal vows
Christians with a sense of mission
Uncompromising with evil and politics
The End

27. Suggested Songs Sumasampalataya Ako by Fr. Marcelo
Isang Pananampalataya by Hontiveros