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Sunday, January 13, 2008, Baptism of Jesus
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7, Acts 10:34-38, Psalm 29, Matthew 3:13-17
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/011308.shtml
IT IS BETTER TO GIVE IN
"Give in for now." —Matthew 3:15
The first words spoken by Jesus in Matthew's Gospel are: "Give in for now"
(Mt 3:15). On this last day of Christmas, the word is: "Give in." Giving
in is a Christmas hallmark. Mary yielded when Gabriel announced that she
would be the mother of Jesus, saying: "I am the servant of the Lord. Let
it be done to me" (Lk 1:38). Joseph "decided to divorce [Mary] quietly"
when he realized she was pregnant with a child that he had not fathered
(Mt 1:19), yet he gave in to God's will and "received her into his home as
his wife" (Mt 1:24).
Today we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus. Both Jesus and John gave in to
God's will. John rightly realized that Jesus should not be baptized by
him. Yet Jesus told John to "give in for now" and John obeyed (Mt 3:15).
Jesus also embraced His Father's will as He "voluntarily submitted Himself
to the baptism of St. John, intended for sinners." His "gesture is a
manifestation of His self-emptying" (Catechism, 1224). "He is submitting
Himself entirely to His Father's will: out of love He consents to this
baptism of death for the remission of our sins" (Catechism, 536).
God's thoughts are high above ours (Is 55:8-9). There are times when His
requirements don't make sense to us. Therefore, He simply asks us to give
in. In what areas of your life is God calling you to give in to His will?
Live your Baptism and die to yourself. Give Jesus the Christmas present He
wants: "Give in."
Prayer: Jesus, I've been baptized into Your death and buried with You in
Baptism (Rm 6:4). I choose to renew my Baptism, give in to Your will, and
immerse myself in Your loving plan.
Promise: "The man of any nation who fears God and acts uprightly is
acceptable to Him." —Acts 10:35
Praise: Praise Jesus, Who "gave in" to the will of the Father and gained
us all eternal life. Alleluia!
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
December 1, 2008 through January 31, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July
30, 2007
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.
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