Baptism of the Lord 2025 Franciscan Gospel Reflection

Franciscan Friar Fr. Paul Gallagher reflects on the Gospel readings for the Baptism of the Lord. Do you sense that God is pleased with you? How does God communicate that to you? Have you ever taken the time to respond to God?

The content is edited by Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Anne Marie Lom and Joe Thiel. The excerpts from the Sunday readings are prepared by Joe Thiel. To read or download the complete pdf with excerpts for your prayer, please click here: Franciscan Gospel Reflection January 12 2025 Excerpts are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Photo: Permission is granted from Fr. Carl Schmitt, pastor of Holy Spirit, Kimberly, Wisconsin. The parish is encouraging a “Welcome. There is More to Life.” Retreats. Consider this possibility.

Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Background:

Throughout their history, the Jews looked for the coming of a Messiah who would establish the Reign of God. There were those who thought that perhaps John the Baptist was that long-awaited anointed one of God. In the first line of the Gospel, Luke acknowledges those hopes. He then quotes John’s denial of being that “anointed one.” The Baptist, without naming Jesus, then speaks of “one who is to come,” and compares his own standing to that of the true Messiah: “I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.” Washing the feet of another was the task of the very lowest servants. It was also a gesture of respect, that of a student for his master. John uses this image in comparing himself to the one who is truly God’s anointed. John is saying that he is not even worthy to be a student of the Messiah.

In the last two verses of the text, Luke first describes the Holy Spirit coming upon Jesus, and then the Father confirming that Jesus is indeed His son. Luke’s description of these events is different from those in the other Gospels. Here God speaks to his son in a personal and intimate way. John has finished baptizing, Jesus is praying. Luke describes Jesus as being at prayer when the heavens open and the Holy Spirt comes upon him, and the voice of God states that Jesus is his beloved son in whom God is wall pleased, Luke describes a very personal moment between the Father, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus. Luke’s description also removes any sense of John’s involvement in the experience.

The recording of the Father’s voice confirming that Jesus was his son was very significant for the people of the day. Their limited understanding of reproduction made it impossible for them to know who the actual father of any child was. Therefore, the father had to publicly state that he was the father of a child. By doing this, he was giving the child legitimacy, status in the community, and the right to an inheritance, and he was taking on the responsibility of being the child’s father. This was a critical part of the social structure of the day. Using this social institution, Luke presents God as claiming Jesus as His Son.  

Reflection Questions:

1. Did your parents let you know that they were pleased that you were their daughter or son? How does that memory or lack of one affect you now, and as you were developing?
2. When was the last time you were filled with expectation? How did being filled with expectation affect you, your relationships with others, and your relationship with God?
3. What are your expectations for God’s involvement in your life, and in the world?
4. Can you imagine Jesus praying after he has been baptized? What kind of day is it? Are there others around Jesus? What are they doing? Is John present? What is Jesus’ mood? What do you suspect happens within Jesus as he hears the voice of God? What happens to the others who might be present? What happens to you as you imagine this event?
5. Do you sense that God is pleased with you? How does God communicate that to you? Have you ever taken the time to respond to God?
6. Can you talk to God now about your own sense of being beloved, your hopes and expectations for God, the ways you would like to point to the presence of God in the world, or some other feeling that might have arisen in you as you read this Gospel text?