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.
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