FEBRUARY REFLECTION PAGE

Deacon James Zakowicz, O.C.D.

Baptized for Mission

Jesus' baptism by John in the Jordan initiates his public ministry. It is not surprising, then, that the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord should mark the beginning of Ordinary Time. The daily Gospel readings for the First Week of Ordinary Time, taken from the Gospel of Mark, offer a clear picture of Jesus’ eagerness to get to work.

Immediately after Jesus' baptism, we find him in the wilderness being tempted by Satan but he is not fazed in the least by Evil's tactics to dissuade him from the task at hand. His trust in the Father gives him the strength necessary to overcome all obstacles placed in his way. Without a pause, Jesus begins preaching the Kingdom, teaching with authority, casting out evil spirits and healing the sick. Like a champion runner waiting for the starter's pistol to fire Jesus is eager to run the race that will end in his death and Resurrection. He can't wait to go from baptism to mission.

Interestingly, Jesus publicizes his mission while trying to keep his identity hidden. He spreads the message:  "This is the time of fulfillment, the Kingdom of God is at hand" yet admonishes evil spirits to be quiet; he "did not permit them to speak because they knew him." It is as if his identity as Savior was less important than the fact of Salvation. Jesus was certainly not shy, so why would he want the evil spirits to be quiet? It seems that he wanted his observers to come to faith naturally – on their own. His actions were all designed to elicit faith and only those who could trust in the Father like he did would 'get it' (faith).

While Jesus trusted in the Father's plans for him, since he was at once God and man, he did not require faith in the same way we do. We, on the other hand, must have some stimulus to our faith in order to continue on our difficult path. How often have we heard that faith is a gift? But it is not enough to sit back and hope we get the gift while doing nothing. Every child knows that if he wants a particular present for Christmas he will have to let his parents know what it is. Just so, we need to 'publicize' our need for God's gift of faith through prayer.

As we continue on our journey through Ordinary Time, let us trust in God's Providence, allowing the grace received in baptism to remain ever-active in our lives. Like champions at the starting line of a new year, let us be eager to compete in the race that God has given us to run.