2026 Cycle A - The Baptism of the Lord

Readings

The Baptism of the Lord

Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7; Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10; Acts: 10: 34-38; Matthew 3: 13-17

Homily Theme

Identify

In the first reading Jesus, fulfills the prophetic words in Isaiah 42 and in psalm 29, which speaks of the voice of God over the waters: This is powerful since both these readings are from the Old Testament from where we trace the beginning of our New Testament Faith. The true Faith had its beginning with the Jews, but in the Acts of the Apostles, we see how it has been extended to us who are Gentiles. In the Gospel today, Jesus comes to the River Jordon and seeks baptism from John the Baptist. John the Baptist recognizes who Jesus really is and says that it should be reversed. Why does Jesus insist that He be baptized by John? He wishes to identify with us sinners by example. He steps into the cold water and others follow Him.

He shows us the need of our baptism. Many parents today need to be reminded of the need of baptism for their children. He could have just have easily appeared in a human body but he took flesh inside of His mother, where he grew within her womb.  He was born in a cave and laid in a manger, so that He could identify with the poorest of the poor. He had a foster father so that he could identify with those who are adopted. He spent His early childhood in Egypt, a foreign land, so that He could identify with Immigrants. He was persecuted, convicted and crucified so that He could identify with those who are also persecuted and suffer, the innocent and those who are truly guilty: Remember, the Good thief on the cross.

God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son into it, to suffer and to die for us all. He showed us through the life and death of Jesus that each of us is important and that there is not one of us for whom He did not die. He identifies with each human being and loves us more than our parents or our best friend.  He became one of us and lived among us so that He could show us how much He identify with us. Nobody loves you as much as He does. Come home to the Church if you are away from it. Come home to receive forgiveness for all of your sins.  Then you will be able truly Identify how much  God loves  you.

Perhaps you know somebody who needs to read this homily so that they can identify with the God who loves them enough to become a man and  to die for them. Look at Jesus on the cross and see His outstretched hands, which tell you.  I love you this much. If you are not already baptized seek Baptism if you are baptized and away from the Church, come Home to the Church and be inspired by Pope Francis who truly identifies with the poor and the downtrodden as does Jesus