BAPTISM OF THE LORD (Luke 3,15-16.21-22)

BAPTISM OF THE LORD    (Luke 3,15-16.21-22)

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  The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying,heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

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José Antonio Pagola

Rev.Fr.Valentine de Souza S.J.

 John the Baptist does not want the people to mistake him for the Messiah. He is aware of his limitations and recognizes them. There is someone more powerful and important than him, the only one whom the people must welcome. The reason is clear. John offers them a baptism of water. Only Jesus, the Messiah, “will baptize them with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

 According to many observers, the greatest problem of the Church today is “spiritual mediocrity”. The Church does not have the spiritual strength she needs to face the present challenges. It’s becoming increasingly clear. We need to be baptized with fire and his Spirit.

 The lack of trust in the power of the Spirit and the fear of everything that can lead us to a renewal has been growing. There is much emphasis on continuity to preserve the past, but we aren’t concerned about the call of the Spirit to prepare for the future. We are slowly getting blind when it comes to reading “the signs of the time”.

 Primacy is given to certainties and beliefs to strengthen the faith and to gain greater Church unity in relation to modern society, but, sadly, a stronger attachment to Jesus is not fostered. Have we forgotten that he is much more powerful than all of us? Religious doctrine, nearly always explained in pre-modern terms, does not touch our hearts or change our lives.

 Having given up the spirit of renewal of the Second Vatican Council, the enthusiasm of important sectors of Christians has been dying out, to give way to resignation. In a silent but remarkable way the separation between the institution of the Church and a considerable number of believers has been growing.

 We need to create without delay a more friendly and loving atmosphere. Not just anyone will be able to awaken in ordinary people the lost vision. We need to return to the roots of our faith; to put ourselves in contact with the Gospel; to nourish ourselves with the words of Jesus which are “spirit and life”.

 Within a few years our Christian communities will become very small. In many communities there will no longer be resident priests. How important it is then, from now, to create a core of believers living a life inspired by the Gospels. They will preserve the Spirit of Jesus among us. Everything will be more modest, but also more in keeping with the Gospel.

 It is up to us to begin already the renewal. The best gift we can leave as a legacy to future generations is a new love for Jesus and a faith centered more on his person and on his project. All else is secondary. If they live inspired by the Spirit of Jesus , they will find new ways.

Spread the Spirit of Jesus

English Translation by Valentine de Souza S.J. Mandal, Gujarat.