Hearing The Word

A weekly newsletter delivering context and insight into the Sunday Gospels.

Living Up To Our Baptismal Integrity

~ Rev. Andrew J. Auletta

Parochial Vicar, Saint Joseph Parish + Downingtown, Pa.

Saint Ambrose was a prominent figure in the life of the Early Church.  He lived in the fourth century, was the Bishop of Milan, taught St. Augustine, and was later declared a Doctor of the Church. In his reflections on Jesus’ life, he writes the following about the Baptism of our Lord: 

“The Lord was Baptized, not to be cleansed Himself, but to cleanse the waters, so that those waters, cleansed by the flesh of Christ which knew no sin, might have the power of Baptism.” – St. Ambrose 

The theological significance of water in the Old Testament cannot be overstated. In the beginning, the Spirit of God hovered over the waters, signifying creation. When God sent the great flood during Noah’s time, it was for the purification of evil. When Moses and the Israelites crossed the waters of the Red Sea, it was to escape slavery at the hands of the Egyptians, and when Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land after passing through the Jordan River, it signified salvation. These four dimensions—creation, purification, freedom from slavery, and salvation—are fulfilled in Jesus’ Paschal Mystery: His life, death, and resurrection. 

As Jesus entered the waters, this ontological action demonstrated that God draws close to us in our sinfulness. St. Ambrose, in his wisdom, recognized that Jesus Himself did not need the healing effects that baptism offered, but rather sought to draw people to Himself, and, therefore, consecrated the sacrament. We are recreated, purified, freed from our slavery to sin, and ordered to the Kingdom of Heaven by our configuration to Jesus in Baptism. 

Therefore, we must become more like Christ to live up to our baptismal integrity. How do we offer ourselves for the good of another? Do people think of Jesus when they meet us? The thought of Jesus’ proximity to us in baptism should set our hearts on fire because all of us long to hear the same words of God the Father to Jesus: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Lk 3: 22) 

Claimed By Love, Not By Achievement

~ Conor Donnelly

Saint Maron's Maronite Catholic Parish + Philadelphia, Pa.

As a parent, there are so many moments when my children look for reassurance. Did I sing well? What do you think of my picture? Are you proud of me? There is a pause, waiting for those words, “You did great, I am proud of you.”

In the Gospel today we imagine Jesus, lifting his head up, fresh from the water of the Jordan river. The clouds part, the sky opens, and the voice of the Father thunders:

“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” 

It would be easy to imagine that this is a public announcement about the identity of Jesus.

But it’s very personal; God says “you” to Jesus. John’s disciples hear Jesus declared as the awaited Messiah; Jesus hears the warm loving words of His Father, blessing and affirming Him. 

When Jesus taught us how to pray, he instructed us to call God Abba - “daddy” - so we need to believe that God’s response to us is loving and affirming to us, too. When things are going well in our lives, it is so much easier to believe that God loves us. Like a good parent, God is there for the tough times too ... when we fail, when we feel uncertain, when family life is anything but smooth. There is a risk to thinking we have to pray harder to make God love us again. Yet God’s love is unconditional. He gives His love freely. His love is declared, not earned, even for Jesus. When Jesus came to John for baptism, He hadn’t yet healed the sick, preached parables, or walk on water. God the Father did not wait on Jesus to “achieve” something to be proud of him. God gave his love freely and willingly to Jesus ... and He gave that love first. 

Let’s stop imagining that we have to be perfect before God will love us. We’ve been baptized so we’re free of the chaos of the waters of doubt and struggle. God loves us now. The Gospel message tells each one of us that God has spoken first. He has claimed us. We are His beloved.