Today, in the readings for this feast of the Baptism of Jesus, for those who were paying attention, we have two very interesting contrasting ideas: in the "alleluia verse" it says: "The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered: This is my beloved Son, listen to him!" In the reading of the gospel itself, from the same gospel writer (St. Mark) it simply says: "A voice came from the heavens, you are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Why the discrepancy in tone? The first account of the Father's voice actually took place on the Mountain of the Transfiguration a week before Jesus died on the Cross; the second was part of the baptismal ceremony that Jesus went through with John in the Jordan – the remembrance of which we are celebrating today!
In both cases it is clear that God the Father is speaking about his Son; and in both cases it is clear that the Father wants us to LISTEN TO HIM!: at first, at this the beginning of his public life as an overall gentle encouragement; at the end of Jesus life so that we don't miss the whole point of his life when his final actions would speak louder than all the words he had ever spoken!
Yes, today we reflect on the beginning of Jesus' "public life." Jesus was aware of his "vocation" to be Messiah his whole life long: and now the time had come for him to "get to work" on our behalf. All he needed was three years of concentrated, intense work to do what he came on earth to do: to be our ransom to God the Father (because we needed to be ransomed), to be our salvation (because we needed to be saved), to be our door to heaven (because there is no other door or entry apart from him)!
Today is also fittingly, then, Vocation Awareness Sunday in the Church: where we pause to reflect upon our "calling in life:" that work that God has in mind for each of us to do, because only we can do it best – in the particular time and place, and with the particular people that he has in mind. There are many vocations in life: among which are the vocation to married and family life! This is a magnificent vocation where husband, wife and children are called on to reflect God's own life and love within Himself, and his love for all people, everywhere! It is a very sublime and honored vocation, and its dignity and integrity needs to be promoted and defended at all costs.
There is also the vocation to religious family life. Life as a priest or a nun, a brother or a sister: either within a religious community or in a diocesan setting! This too is a sublime and honored vocation! Religious vocation now also includes the vocation to lay ministry (such as Pastoral Associate). The Church has been gifted in so many ways, and we are at the point where we need to rely on all the possibilities that the Holy Spirit provides for the present and future life of the Church.
There is also the vocation to the single state – which precedes both marriage and religious life – and can honorably exist in its own right. Sometimes the single state leads to marriage, at other times it might lead to priesthood or religious life. Sometimes it is a calling unto itself. In all three cases being a chaste, holy and generously giving person is part of the lifestyle!
God the Father sent Jesus into the world to bring a victory of justice, to be a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the spiritually blind, to bring out self-condemned prisoners to freedom, to bring out of darkness those who ignorantly choose to live with the lights out – if they would want it! And Jesus sends families and religious and single people into the world to help him!
God already knows what he wants you to do with your life, whether you are already fully involved in it, or not yet engaged in it fully, or you do not yet know what it might be at all. All you need to do is to ask him to let you know what it is that he wants you to do more fully, or from the beginning! In the silence, if you ask, he will tell you - if you LISTEN – with the ears of your heart!
He usually answers when you least expect, in ways you least expect. It could be a word from a stranger, a conversation with a friend, a song you hear on the radio; it could be a sign on the road, an intuition gotten while praying; it could be actually talking to a married person, a priest, a deacon, a lay minister, another single person about what its like to be them! If you feel the inkling: INVESTIGATE! QUESTION! DO NOT BE AFRAID!
So whether you need to hear it softly and sweetly, or like the sound of roaring thunder: God the Father is telling you today: this is my beloved Son:
LISTEN TO HIM!
and you will hear what you need to hear about living the exact calling (vocation) that has your name on it!
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