Mark 1, 7-11:
Sunday 10th January 2021 (Baptism of the Lord)
We are starting a new year and it is quite likely (I wish it were not) that throughout it we will hear bad news: a new wave of the pandemic, aggression and violence within some families, wars or acts of terrorism. There will be those who will try to justify them. Can something like this be done in the name of any god? Which god? Certainly, one who is not known and who is less well understood. True liberation can only come through forgiveness, mercy and love.
We celebrate the feast of the Baptism of Jesus. Today the Word of God tells us that Jesus becomes aware of his mission as Messiah and how, with the power of the Spirit and the blessing of the Father, he carries it out. St. Peter summarizes it in a few words: “He was anointed by God in the power of the Spirit and went about doing good and healing those who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with him.
Without shouting, without trampling, without breaking the bruised reed… but without wavering; promoting right and justice. This was the mission entrusted to him by the Father. He spent 30 years reflecting on what to do and how to do it. He was the Messiah.
We are his followers. How do we carry out our mission in life? With violence? Are we aware that we also have the strength of the Spirit? May we know how to bring a message of peace to those who live with us at all times in this new year.
Juan Ramón Gómez Pascual cmf
