Baptism of the Lord (A)/ Heavens were opened
  Isaiah 42:1-7/ Ps 29/ Acts 10:34-38/ Mt. 3:13-17
  Introduction
 

          A certain couple approached a priest and asked him to baptize their twins. The priest agreed and asked them: what names do you want to give to your children? The mother said: “Toyota” for the eldest and “Honda” for the other. The priest objected, “But those names are for cars.” But the parents insisted that they have the right to name their children. The priest hesitantly agreed. He grabbed the pitcher and asked, “and now what do you want me to use, Premium or Unleaded?”

  
  Background
 

  1. In the Bible the naming a child happens not in baptism but during the rite of circumcision.  When Christ was circumcised, he got his name Jesus from the word “Joshua” meaning the “One who saves.” From his baptism which marks the beginning of his public ministry, he will save his people from their sins, cure their illnesses and preach the Gospel to all nations. All these show the saving act of Jesus; thus He lived according to his name.  Even though the theology of the Trinity was not yet fully developed during the time of Jesus, there were already a lot of signs in the Bible that the early Christian communities were already using “Trinitarian Formula” in their liturgy, especially in their baptismal rite.  Matthew went further by writing in today’s Gospel how Christ himself when he commissioned his apostles: “Go to the whole world and baptize them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Mt 28:19)

  2. John was hesitant to baptize Jesus. But Jesus insisted by saying “it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness (v.15).” Prophet Isaiah in today’s First Reading explained “righteousness” as the “victory of Justice” that the Servant of God is called to establish on the earth. It comes as no surprise, then, when the heavenly voice designates Jesus as the chosen one “with whom I am well pleased (v.17).” Second Reading supports the connection between the Jesus and the Servant in the book of Isaiah by interpreting Jesus’ baptism as an “anointing with the Holy Spirit and power.” It was the same anointing that empowers him to “bring forth justice to the nations.”

  3. Devout Jews did not go to John to be baptized. For them baptism was only for sinners and for those who were in need of repentance. Since they followed every detail of the laws and they belong to the chosen people of God, thus they were assured of salvation need not go to be baptized. But when they saw a fellow Jew, our Lord Jesus Christ, who never sinned  lining up to be baptized by John they were silenced and humiliated.
  
  Reflection:  
 

  1. He underwent baptism because as a person Jesus needed to associate himself with the community. Like Christ we also have to show our belongingness to the community. Yes, we can pray individually but that kind of spiritually is weak and vulnerable to temptations. We need to hold our hands together in fellowship and prayer to create that bond of unity which no evil can ever destroy. And when it comes to serving God we need to interact and support each other. We need the community of faith just as Jesus did.

  2. Baptism is also called the Sacrament of Initiation because it is the beginning of our membership into the Church. It marks the beginning of our Christian life because it opens our souls to receive other sacraments. Our Original Sin is washed away (The heavens were opened for us) and we are anointed by the holy oil of Chrism that makes us king, priest and prophet (the Holy Spirit descended to Christ like a dove).  

  3. But baptism is not only a privilege, it is also a responsibility. We read that soon after Jesus' baptism John was arrested. They needed a new leadership. When Jesus heard it, he went up and started his ministry. We too, whenever we ask for the Sacrament of Baptism, should be ready to do our task for the good of the community and the Church.  When we were baptized, we received the privilege of being sons and daughters of God, but with that great privilege comes also a greater responsibility.

 
  Conclusion  
 

        If you notice, whenever a priest baptizes a child he uses only the first name (Toyota or Honda) he never uses the child’s family name. In baptism he receives a new family name, that is, “Christian.” We are all Christians under one Father (Yahweh) and we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We build one whole new family - we call the Church. Our distinctions will only be in first name. In the Bible when the name is changed the life of the person is changed according to the meaning of the new named given to him. When we are baptized we receive a new name “Christian.” It’s a name patterned after “Christ,” and therefore we should live a life patterned unto his life in holiness and in love.