The Baptism of the Lord
Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11 | Psalm 103(104):1-4,24-25,27-30 | Titus 2:11-14,3:4-7 | Luke 3:15-16,21-22
He is like a shepherd feeding his flock, gathering lambs in his arms, holding them against his breast and leading to their rest the mother ewe. (Isaiah 40:11)
It’s easy for most of us to forget the circumstances of our own baptism, and especially the expectations laid on our tiny infant shoulders to be part of “the holy priesthood that offers the spiritual sacrifices which Jesus Christ has made acceptable to God, […] living stones making a spiritual house.” (1 Peter 2:5)
A large part of our common priesthood involves offering ourselves in service to others as a shepherd would: giving food and drink to the hungry and thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, comforting the sick and imprisoned. (Matthew 25:35-36) Through our actions, we bear witness to others of the love of God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
So let’s be more mindful of our daily deeds, and seek to shape them in the mold of God’s unconditional love, so that we may become good shepherds in the likeness of the Good Shepherd, fulfilling our baptismal promises by bringing all peoples from the darkness of secular concerns to the Light of the Almighty.
Amen.