Sunday
After Epiphany - Baptism of the Lord
Sunday, 9 January 2000
Theme: Jesus is made manifest - he
will bring Good News to the poor.
The Prophet Isaiah 42: 4, 6 - 7
The chosen Servant of God is endowed with the spirit
of God, charged with the task of bringing justice to all, to be the light
of the nations, to open the eyes of the blind and to lead captives free.
The Acts of the Apostles
10: 34 - 38
The apostle Peter has a struggle to understand for
himself the universal meaning of salvation for all peoples, including the
Gentile pagan nations. In the event described he comes to understand:
“anybody, or any nationality who fears God and does what is right is
acceptable to God.”
The Gospel according to Mark 1: 7 -
11
This narrative records the preaching of John the
Baptist beside the river Jordan. The last of the Old Testament prophets,
the one with the privilege to point out the long awaited Messiah. Now the
figure of Jesus is presented as he enters upon his ministry, “This is my
Son, the beloved; my favour rests upon him.”