Blessed to be Purpose and Passion!

 

Reflection: The feast of the Baptism of Jesus

Author, Dawna Markova: (I Will Not Die an Unlived Life) writes . . .

 “In the thousands of moments that string together to make up our lives, there are some where time seems to change its shape and a certain light falls across our ordinary path.  We stop searching for purpose, we become it!”

In 2002, Baptist pastor Rick Warren released his influential book, The Purpose Driven Life. The book quickly resonated with readers worldwide, selling over 11 million copies in its first year alone. Within just four years, more than 30 million copies had been sold in English, solidifying its place as an international bestseller and leading to translations in over 50 languages. This message of purpose and direction found a global audience, and by 2020, both the author and publisher reported that 50 million copies of The Purpose Driven Life had been sold across more than 85 languages.^[

The popularity of this book may be rooted in the challenges of our present culture. Today, we are constantly exposed to media messages that tease, tempt, and sometimes torment us with the notion that we lack something essential—that we do not have enough, or that we are not good enough, or we are just not enough. Such messages can create a longing within people for clarity and reassurance about their identity and worth, making many eager to find guidance toward understanding God’s purpose and path for their lives.

Additionally, there is often a reluctance to slow down and be still, as doing so might compel us to confront the universal questions that every person eventually faces: Why am I here? What is my purpose? These are profound questions that lie at the heart of the human experience. Mark Twain famously stated, "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why," emphasizing that discovering your life's purpose gives meaning and direction beyond mere existence.

In our Gospel today, we see Jesus pondering the same deep questions that many of us face—questions about identity and purpose. During his baptism in the Jordan by John, something profound occurred. Jesus underwent a dramatic transformation: the heavens opened, the Spirit descended upon him, and a voice spoke from the clouds, declaring, “You are my beloved. With you I am well pleased.” This divine affirmation marked a pivotal change in Jesus. From that moment forward, Jesus embraced his purpose and mission as the Beloved of God, anointed, empowered by the Spirit and strengthened by the assurance of God’s love.

As John Dear reflects, “God does not mince words or make small talk. God gets right to the heart of the matter.” This revelation guided Jesus throughout his life, shaping his understanding of his mission and his relationship with God. Jesus accepted, honored, and welcomed his mission and identity, remaining true to it until his final breath.

As baptized followers of Jesus, we are invited to stand in readiness, vulnerability, and authenticity. Deep within us, we hear God’s affirming words: “You are my beloved.” This divine declaration is spoken to each one of us.

The voice of God does not speak just once but reaches out to us time and time again throughout our lives. Each time we encounter this divine voice, we are called to listen with greater care and openness. This gentle voice rises from deep within us, persistently reminding us of our true identity and inviting us to embrace the reality that we are beloved.

As Christians, our calling is not a single event but a lifelong journey. Throughout our lives, we are continuously summoned to a particular direction and purpose; it takes a lifetime to unfold. As we grow and change, so too does our understanding of our call, shaped by our ongoing journey of faith and deepening realization of who we are as God’s beloved.

In our reading, we ponder the words of Isaiah, who proclaims the servant who is to come – who is chosen, who will be filled with the spirit and bring forth justice to nations; who will open the eyes of the blind, bring release to captives and light to those living in darkness. 

In our own day, we, too, have those “chosen servants” who embraced not only their purpose, but claimed the mission of Jesus as their own, and took up the challenge of justice and peacemaking. 

So who are these people of purpose and passion, who have journeyed in faith and upon whose shoulders we stand?

Let us remember:  Ken Untener – former Bishop of Saginaw, MI, who expressed that he was to be a waiter and foot washer.  “While I was installed as bishop of Saginaw, I told the people that I had come to be their waiter.  I was among them as one who serves.”

Let us remember: Ceasar Chavez – “If we are really honest with ourselves, we must admit that our lives are all that really belong to us, so it is how we use our lives that determines what kind of persons we are . . . I am convinced that the truest act of courage, the strongest act of humanity is to sacrifice ourselves for something higher – that which we believe in and love deeply.”

Finally, we remember: Sister Dorothy Stang , SNDdeN,  -  who worked among the peasant farmers in the Amazon and who was assassinated on February 12, 2005.  “O God, we have given all.  I have even sacrificed my home, country, family, and my trust to work among your people. God, my lover and Creator, I love You but I don’t understand why they (ranchers and military) seek to destroy our simple life-joy-caring among the people.  I never came to create hate or division but to build love, confidence and caring among a beautiful abandoned people.  Does this have to be part of life’s struggle?”

And so, what is the good news for us today? 

The good news for us today is that we are all invited to follow the path that Jesus walked. Just as he stepped forward into the world with trust in God—even when faced with uncertainty, hardship, and even death—we are called to do the same. Living as the beloved of God means embracing a daily life rooted in a deep and personal relationship of love with our God. This calls us to recognize our own worth as God's beloved and to extend that recognition to one another, treating others and ourselves with the dignity and care that comes from being cherished by God.

Thus, we are called to open the eyes of those who cannot see, offering new perspectives and hope. We are to work for the liberation of those who are held captive—by circumstance, injustice, or despair—bringing them the gift of freedom. To those who find themselves lost in darkness, we are to bring light, sharing compassion, understanding, and guidance. And to those who are oppressed or marginalized, we are to stand as instruments of justice, working for equity and dignity for all. When we live out these actions, we cease the search for our purpose; instead, we become the very purpose we were seeking.