Homily Feast of Baptism of the Lord Year A I Homily 11 January 2026 Year A

 https://youtu.be/MXRAyiM-3oY

My dear friends, today we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Today’s Feast

invites us to pause and remember who Jesus is and, through him, who we are. The readings

remind us that baptism is not just a moment from the past, but a call that shapes our identity

and our mission today.

The first reading taken from the prophet Isaiah is known as the first Servant Song. It was

written during a difficult time for the people of Israel, when many were living in exile and

had lost hope. They were longing for freedom, justice, and God’s closeness. Through the

prophet Isaiah, God promises a Servant who will bring justice, healing, and light—not

through force, but through gentleness and faithfulness. The Servant is described as one

chosen and upheld by God, filled with God’s Spirit. He does not shout or break the weak.

Instead, he cares for the “bruised reed” and the “dimly burning wick.” This tells us that God’s

way is not harsh or violent. The Servant is also given a clear mission: to be a light to the

nations, to open blind eyes, and to free people trapped in darkness. This shows that God’s

saving plan is not only for Israel, but for all people. God desires freedom not just from

physical chains, but from fear, sin, injustice, and despair. For Christians, this passage points

strongly to Jesus. His life, ministry, and especially his baptism reveal him as the Servant who

brings God’s gentle yet powerful justice into the world. This reading also speaks to us

personally. Through our own baptism, we share in Christ’s mission. We are called to be

servants—not loud or dominating, but gentle, faithful, and compassionate. In a world full of

noise, conflict, and injustice, God asks us to be people who heal rather than harm, who lift

others rather than crush them. God does not ask us to be loud or perfect, but faithful servants

who bring hope where it is most needed.

The second reading taken from the Acts of the Apostles records a turning point in the early

Church. Peter is speaking in the house of Cornelius, a Roman centurion and a Gentile. Until

this moment, many Jewish Christians believed that God’s promises were meant mainly for

their own people. Through this encounter, Peter comes to a new and powerful understanding:

“God shows no partiality.” God does not favour one race, culture, or nation over another.

Anyone who fears God and does what is right is welcomed by Him. Peter then summarizes

the heart of the Gospel. He speaks about Jesus of Nazareth, anointed by God with the Holy

Spirit and power. This connects closely with Jesus’ baptism, when the Spirit came upon him

and his public mission began. From that moment, Jesus went about doing good—healing the

sick, restoring the broken, and freeing those oppressed by evil. His actions revealed God’s

love in a concrete and visible way. This passage reminds us that faith is not only about

beliefs, but about how God’s love reaches people through actions. Jesus did not stay distant

or selective. He crossed boundaries, spoke to outsiders, touched the untouchable, and

welcomed those who were excluded. His life shows that God’s kingdom is open to all. For us

today, this passage is both comforting and challenging. It comforts us because it assures us

that God accepts us as we are, regardless of our background or status. At the same time, it

challenges us to reflect God’s impartial love. We are called to move beyond prejudice,

division, and narrow thinking. Like Jesus, we are invited to “go about doing good” in our 

own daily lives—through kindness, honesty, compassion, and service. Our baptism calls us to

be signs of God’s inclusive love, bringing healing and hope to a world that still longs for

justice, peace, and unity.

A child once asked an old priest during a baptism ceremony, “What changes after the water is

poured?” The old priest replied, “Nothing you can see immediately—but everything that truly

matters.” That simple answer captures the deep meaning of baptism that today’s Gospel taken

from Matthew invites us to reflect on. The baptism of Jesus is not about repentance from sin;

it is about identity, mission, and belonging. By choosing to be baptized, Jesus steps fully into

human life. He does not remain distant or separate but enters the same waters as everyone

else. Baptism becomes a sign of solidarity—God choosing to stand with humanity, especially

with those who feel broken, guilty, or unworthy. At the heart of baptism is identity. When the

voice from heaven declares Jesus as the beloved Son, it reveals a truth that applies to all who

are baptized. Baptism tells us who we are before it tells us what we must do. We are not

defined first by our successes, failures, or social roles, but by God’s love. In a world that

measures worth by performance and approval, baptism reminds us that we are already

accepted and loved. Baptism is also about God’s presence. The descent of the Spirit shows

that baptism is not just a symbolic washing, but an encounter with God who dwells within us.

The Spirit empowers, guides, and strengthens us for life’s challenges. We are never sent

alone; God walks with us. At the same time, baptism is a calling. Just as Jesus emerges from

the waters ready to serve, heal, and proclaim God’s kingdom, our baptism commits us to live

differently. It calls us to choose justice over indifference, compassion over judgment, and

service over selfishness. Baptism is not a private event; it is a public commitment to reflect

Christ in the world. Finally, baptism gives us hope. Even when we fail, even when life

becomes messy, baptism assures us that God does not withdraw His love. The water reminds

us that God continues to cleanse, renew, and call us again. The Baptism of the Lord invites us

to remember our own baptism—not as a past ritual, but as a living reality that shapes who we

are and how we live each day. We are baptized not for comfort, but for service—chosen by

God to be light and hope in the lives of others. May God bless us all.