BE UNITED IN YOUR BELIEF AND PRACTICE

III SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - 1 Corinthians 1, 10-13.17

Immediately after the initial greetings and a prayer of thanksgiving, we are made to understand that in Corinth there were serious problems, created by factions that were tearing apart the Christian Community. Those factions were based on personalities, with people claiming to belong to Paul, Apollo, Peter ar Christ. Paul feels embarrassed and in no way wants to be part of those divisions, saying to the Corinthians, “Has Christ been parcelled out? Was it Paul that was crucified for you? Were you baptised in the name of Paul?” And so Paul makes an appeal for unity, asking everyone to speak the same language, "remaining well united, in the same thinking and in the same action". 

Divisions in the Church are not new. They have been there since the beginning. Sometimes, they were caused by a different understanding of the doctrine; other times, they were the fruit of groups siding with different people, even without their consent. This was the case in Corinth. In today’s Church, we find people trying to promote the same kind of divisions. There are people who try to put Benedict XVI against Francis. First of all, it must be made clear that Benedict XVI is called pope emeritus, meaning that, being pope in the past, he is no more. He is a private person and his word has only the value of his knowledge. He can make research, but he cannot pronounce an authoritative word coming from the universal shepherd. These are battles brought about by people who try to muddle the situation.

It is true that the Church is going through difficult times. She is like a boat sailing through rough waters, and we get the impression that she may sink at any time, but it has been always like that. As Church, we must never forget that she is built upon Jesus Christ, the cornerstone, and she has the apostles as the foundation. The question is: do we want to transform the Church into a museum for the sake of those who desire to dwell in the past or do we do as the Church always did, that is to make an effort to be relevant for today?
Christ’s message must be proclaimed in a way that is understood. His call to repentance so that we welcome the kingdom of God must be heard again. His disciples must remain faithful in a way that is challenging to the modern world.

JOHN’S TESTIMONY ON JESUS

II SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - John 1:29-34

Immediately after his introduction to the Gospel, where Jesus is presented as the Word Incarnate, the writer of the fourth gospel presents the testimony of John the Baptist about Jesus. It is an extraordinary testimony, spoken out very clearly, and John reports on how revealing his encounter with Jesus was. Recognising Jesus, John recognised his own mission and the meaning of his life: “It was for Him to manifest Himself to Israel that I came to baptize in water”. Recognising his mission,  in all humility, John accepted his own position with its limitations. In spite fo coming after him, Jesus ranks before him because he already existed before him, that is, he existed before the times. In his encounter with Jesus, John became aware that Jesus was divine and therefore eternal. We may ask what led Joh to this conclusion. He saw the Holy Spirit coming down like a dove "and remain on him". Therefore, he recognised him as the Anointed One (Christ, Messiah), the one who comes to baptize in the Holy Spirit. And he made the conclusion: "Now, I saw and I testify that He is the Son of God". Knowing that he is the Son of God, he presented him as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world". We have become so used to this title that we are not aware of its meaning. Certainly, for the Jews, the title "lamb of God" had very deep connotations, immediately bringing to mind the lamb of the Easter sacrifice. By giving Jesus the title of “lamb of God”, John announces his death, offered as a paschal sacrifice. As Paul would say. “Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed” (1 Cor 5: 7). He will shed his blood for the remission of sins (Mt 26,28).

JESUS IS THE BELOVED SON OF GOD

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD - Matthew 3:13-17

In the book of Isaiah, we find four passages called the Songs of the Servant of the Lord (Yahweh), which are of extraordinary beauty and depth. The Church has always understood these passages as speaking of the Messiah and applied them to Jesus Christ. Although called a servant, he has a very close relationship with God and a close connection with the people. He is presented as the beloved of God, the "chosen one in whom my soul delights". God chose him to “bring true justice to the nations”, saying to him, “I have appointed you as covenant of the people and light of the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to free captives from prison, and those who live in darkness from the dungeon” (Is 42:6-7). His presence among men will be marked by humility and meekness, becoming a source of comfort and hope. “He does not break the crushed reed, nor quench the wavering flame." He will be steadfast and faithful to the mission given to him: "he will neither waver, nor be crushed until true justice is established on earth" Certainly in Isaiah's words we can review the figure of Jesus Christ who came to establish God's New Covenant with men, a covenant of peace and salvation.

In one of his speeches, Peter reminds his listeners of the facts they also know. John preached and baptised. Then came Jesus, anointed "with the power of the Holy Spirit" and "Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil” (Act 10:34-38). It is from these facts well known to all that Peter is led to recognise and proclaim Jesus as the "Lord of all" and that peace and salvation come through him, being offered to all.

In the account of the baptism, Matthew presents the manifestation (epiphany) of the divine dignity of Jesus. As Jesus approached to be baptised, John recognised him and refused to baptise him, saying, "I need to be baptised by You." At Jesus' insistence, John baptised him, and then a great divine revelation took place. Jesus is anointed by the “Spirit of God,” who descended upon him like a dove, and the voice of God is heard, presenting himself as the Father of Jesus, who is proclaimed as the “beloved Son,” on whom His “favour rests”. At baptism, Jesus of Nazareth is proclaimed as the Son of God, filled with the Spirit, coming into this world to carry out his mission. He comes as Prince of Peace.

We were baptised in Jesus Christ, as His Spirit came upon us, creating us anew as children of God. Being one with Christ, we are the beloved children and God’s favour rests on us.

ALL NATIONS SHALL FALL PROSTRATE BEFORE YOU, O LORD.

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD - Matthew 2:1-12

The world may be going through difficult moments and we may be afraid that there is no way out of the mess we are in. Indeed, as the prophet Isaiah tells us “night covers the earth, and darkness the peoples.” The situation we live in seems to be hopeless. In spite of recognising it, Isaiah makes a proclamation full of hope, founded on God’s promise. Isaiah is never discouraged by the difficulties and sufferings that surround him. He does not allow himself to remain closed within the narrow walls of the present but always looks further into the future. Even though the world is overwhelmed with despair, he remains confident, because “for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” And he announces to Jerusalem an extraordinary time when the people will walk to this light, and “nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” “The abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,

the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.” (Is 60:1-6). The prophet Isaiah presents clearly a universalist perspective of salvation.

In his letter to the Ephesians (Ep 3:2-3,5-6), Paul gives the meaning of the promise made by God in the prophet Isaiah: God's plan of salvation includes all peoples without exception. The Gentiles - that is, all non-Jews - are the object of the same promise as the Jews: they are part of the same body and will receive the same inheritance as the Jews. God has a plan of salvation for all and he does not exclude anyone from that plan. And Paul presents himself as being called to make explicit this universal design of God.

With the story of the magi, Matthew presents graphically the same statement of God's universal plan: he calls everyone to meet Christ and find life and salvation in him. In the coming of the Magi, Matthew saw the fulfilment of Isaiah's prophecy, in which foreign peoples come from afar to the Light with joy. In the Magi, we see the longing that has led them to an intense search and a restless journey to meet Him who is the light of the nations. Certainly, we can appreciate their effort, persistence and courage that did not allow them to give up. In the hardest moments of their journey, when the star seemed to have disappeared, they asked for help, receiving it from those who, in suspicion and fear, would become Jesus’ enemies. They were being guided by the star of faith and hope that the Spirit of God had brought forth in their hearts. The feast of the Epiphany celebrates the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi, which tradition has made kings. Christ is recognised as the Saviour of all peoples, and all peoples come to Him by offering the best and the most valuable that they have. To Him belongs honour and praise and glory.