"This is my Beloved Son, my Chosen One"

Affirming Jesus' divine identity, unique relationship with God, and role as the promised Messiah.

It signifies Jesus' divine sonship, preeminence, and the Father's deep love, urging people to listen to Him. 

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6 - 7(or) Isaiah 55:1-11) 

Here is my servant whom

I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight.

I have put my spirit upon him, and he will bring justice to the nations.

He does not shout or raise his voice, proclamations are not heard in the streets.

A broken reed he will not crush, nor will he snuff out the light of the wavering wick.

He will make justice appear in truth.

He will not waver or be broken until he has established Justice on earth;

 

the islands are waiting for his law.

I, Yahweh, have called you for the sake of justice; 

I will hold your hand to make you firm:

I will make you as a covenant to the people, and as a light to the nations,

to open eyes that do not see, to free captives from prison,

to bring out to light those who sit in darkness.

 

Ps 29/1 - 2, 3 - 4, 3, 9 - 10

The Lord will bless his people with peace.

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

Acts 10:34-38 (or 1 John 5:1-9) 

Peter then spoke to them, "Truly, I realize that God does not show partiality,

but in all nations he listens to everyone who fears God and does good.

And this is the message he has sent to the children of Israel,

the good news of peace he has proclaimed, through Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of all.

 

No doubt you have heard of the event that occurred throughout the whole country of the Jews,

beginning from Galilee, after the baptism John preached. You know how God anointed Jesus,

the Nazorean with the Holy Spirit, and power. He went about doing good,

and healing all who were under the devil's power, because God was with him;

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊    

Matthew 3:13-17

At that time, Jesus arrived from Galilee and came to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.

But John tried to prevent him, and said, "How is it, you come to me? I should be baptized by you!"

But Jesus answered him, "Let it be like that for now; so that we may fulfill the right order."

John agreed. As soon as he was baptized, Jesus came up out of the water.

All at once, the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God come down, like a dove, and rest upon him.

At the same time, a voice from heaven was heard, "This is my Son, the Beloved; he is my Chosen One."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Lectio Divina

"This is my Beloved Son, my Chosen One."

 

Read: Isaiah prophesied about the anointed one of God,

the servant of the Lord whom God filled with His Spirit,

who will bring justice to the nations and salvation to God's people.

This is affirmed in the second reading,

where Peter declares that Jesus is God's anointed one who is the Lord of all.

 

This is further clarified in the gospel account of Jesus' baptism,

where the Spirit of God came to rest on him and a voice calling him, "

This is my Beloved Son, my Chosen One."

 

Reflect: The baptism of the Lord ushers in the beginning of his ministry, where he fulfilled the mission for which he was anointed,

and his identity was affirmed so that people would know who he was.

Jesus' baptism reminds us of our baptism where the same anointing is given to us to share in the mission of the Redeemer,

and our identity is affirmed as beloved children of God. As Christ's followers,

we are called to continue the mission of the Lord to speak the truth,

work for justice, and keep alive the flame of love and forgiveness.

 

Pray: Loving God, thank you for making me your beloved child in my baptism. Empower me to live out this call. Amen.

 

Act: As God's children, we are all brothers and sisters. Share love and forgiveness with those who need them.