The Feast of the Baptism of Jesus – God’s manifestation in Jesus and ourselves

Each of us is a unique creation with intricate gifts and abilities. While we were given those gifts at birth along the way we lose confidence in some of these gifts and begin to live our lives we were not meant to. Life’s difficulties can come in many forms: illness, loss, prejudice and pain which make their unique impact on our lives. In the gospel today, Jesus emerges from the water where a voice declares, ‘You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.’ (Message Bible).

Manifestation of Jesus to the Peoples of all Nations

The world now is too dangerous and too beautiful for anything but love.

May your eyes be so blessed you see God in everyone.

Your ears, so you hear the cry of the poor.

May your hands be so blessed that everything you touch is a sacrament.

Your lips speak nothing but the truth with love.

May your feet be so blessed you run to those who need you.

And may your heart be so opened . . . that your love,

[and God’s] love, changes everything.

Elizabeth Tapia (Philippine theologian)

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Simple things can remind us of God’s presence. It may be the delight of meeting someone who we have not seen for some time or brightens our life. Today, we notice that God enters our world through the least - the forgotten ones, those who do not to count or matter, the lowly, unnoticed.  Israel’s history and the prophets show that God works among the small and apparent insignificant to accomplish big things. In Luke’s gospel, God’s word overlooked those in power but came to John the Baptist. Micah speaks of the smallness of Bethlehem and what emerged there. He suggests that we look to the peripheries of importance to find God's work.