Feast of the Baptism of Christ

Before Jesus emerged on the stage, John the Baptist appeared first in the wilderness to preach repentance. Repentance was not a new concept for the Jews. Seeing the corruption of the government officials and the ordinary people, many prophets urged the people to repent, to turn back to God, to turn from their present course of life back to the path of God. For example, one of the major prophets Isaiah had the following advice.
Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near (Isaiah 55:6).
At the moment, despite some setbacks as a result of the financial tsunami, people are still living in a prosperous society. Life has been easy and people easily lose a sense of crisis. There is a Chinese proverb advising people to be alert all the time. It says 居安思危 --- while you live comfortably, think about danger/crisis. When most people were earning money in the stock market, how many of them had ever thought about the hidden crisis of sub-prime mortgages and mini-bonds put up by the Lehman Brothers? Nowadays, teachers are advised not to reprimand students but to encourage them. Therefore, we tell those who fail to hand in their homework that it is better late than never! The concept of a deadline is blurred. A sense of crisis has never been built up. Today, we know that this can be costly!
In the spiritual realm, the Church does not dare to stand her ground. She does not want to look too conservative. Otherwise, she will be driving away believers and failing her mission to save the souls. So, nowadays, the Church are tolerant of all sorts of sins which were mortal in the earlier generations. Gradually, less and less people go to confessions, to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. People are putting off their opportunity to repent. I can still go next Sunday. The Church will not vanish overnight. She will continue to serve my needs. But Isaiah said
Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near (Isaiah 55:6)
because we may not live to see the day tomorrow.
Most people are reluctant to go to confession. Perhaps they are embarrassed. Perhaps they have not maintained a healthy habit of regular reflection and examination of their conscience. Perhaps God or the priest is too intimidating. Perhaps Satan has prevailed over their guardian angel. Perhaps there really is nothing worth confessing. Perhaps ... Perhaps they should listen to Isaiah's advice again.
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:7-9).
Isaiah has assured us that God will abundantly pardon our shortcomings. God's thoughts are beyond our wildest imagination. The famous line from John should drive away all our excuses not to go to confessions.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him (John 3:16-17).
Today marks the end of the Christmas season. It is the beginning of the 1^st Ordinary week. In previous weeks, we celebrate the Joyful Mysteries of Incarnation. Before we reach the Sorrow Mysteries of Jesus' Passion, we are in the stage of gradual revelation, of illumination. That is why the late Pope John Paul II introduced the 5 Luminous Mysteries of Rosary in October 16, 2002.
Today, Fr. Lejeune celebrated the 11 a.m. mass with us. He focused on the theme of "beloved son".
and a voice came from heaven, "Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased." (Mark 1:11)
Not only is Jesus the Beloved Son of the Father, but we too are. Jesus did not need any baptism to wash away his sins because Jesus has none. Yet, he shows us the proper way to become beloved sons of the Father.
But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness." Then he consented (Matthew 3:15).
He humbled himself to receive the Baptism of John. In fact, John confessed that he himself needed Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3:14). It is because Jesus' baptism carries with it the gift of the Holy Spirit. In fact, John had already experienced this Holy Spirit while he was still in Elizabeth's womb (Luke 1:41, 44).
Mark's story is complemented by those in Matthew and Luke. Still, we should not lose sight of this wonderful love of God who wants us to be His beloved sons. So, let this be our purpose of life --- to be beloved sons of the Father like Jesus.

Dear Lord, You are the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by You (John 14:6). Help us follow behind You and secure the eternal life. Amen.