Bible Study on God's Servant and the Anointed Jesus

Welcome to our Bible
Study
January 9, 2011
The Baptism of the Lord A

In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st reading: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
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1 Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen
one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have
put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the
nations, 2 not crying out, not shouting, not
making his voice heard in the street. 3 A bruised
reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he
shall not quench, 4 until he establishes justice on
the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching.
6 I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of
justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed
you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a
light for the nations, 7 to open the eyes of the
blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and
from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

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

1 Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen
6 I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of
The focus is on God’s servant.

A simple outline!

Presentation of God’s servant to the People
 1 Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen
God’s address to his servant
 6 I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of

Presentation of God’s servant
to the People
 1 Here is my servant whom I
uphold, my chosen one with
whom I am pleased, upon
whom I have put my spirit; he
shall bring forth justice to the
nations, 2 not crying out, not
shouting, not making his voice
heard in the street. 3 A
bruised reed he shall not
break, and a smoldering wick
he shall not quench, 4 until he
establishes justice on the
earth; the coastlands will wait
for his teaching.
 6 I, the LORD, have called you
for the victory of justice, I
have grasped you by the hand;
I formed you, and set you as a
covenant of the people, a light
for the nations, 7 to open the
eyes of the blind, to bring out
prisoners from confinement,
and from the dungeon, those
who live in darkness.

Commentary
 In vv.1-4, God presents his servant to the
people in Exile.
 V.1 indicates the status of God’s servant:
– Whom I uphold
– My chosen one
– With whom I am pleased
– Upon whom I put my spirit.


God has a special relationship with his servant.



V.1b indicates his servant’s mission:
– He shall bring forth justice to the nations.
(tall order)

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V.2 indicates that his servant will work for
justice quietly. (not seeking publicity)
V.3 indicates that his servant will not cut
short anything that is about to end or
decapitate, but will have the patience to let
nature take its course. (He is patient.)
In v.4, the justice to be established by God’s
servant will be universal.
In v.4, God’s servant is also seen as a
teacher.

Presentation of God’s servant
to the People
 1 Here is my servant whom I
uphold, my chosen one with
whom I am pleased, upon
whom I have put my spirit; he
shall bring forth justice to the
nations, 2 not crying out, not
shouting, not making his voice
heard in the street. 3 A
bruised reed he shall not
break, and a smoldering wick
he shall not quench, 4 until he
establishes justice on the
earth; the coastlands will wait
for his teaching.
 6 I, the LORD, have called you
for the victory of justice, I
have grasped you by the hand;
I formed you, and set you as a
covenant of the people, a light
for the nations, 7 to open the
eyes of the blind, to bring out
prisoners from confinement,
and from the dungeon, those
who live in darkness.

In v.6, God tenderly speaks about his
servant’s vocation.
 He will be victorious in his fight for
justice. (successful, effective)
 God has shown himself to be a kind
father to his servant/son.
 “He holds him by the hand” evokes the
tender guidance of the Father to his son.
 “I formed you” may no longer refer to his
being formed in his mother’s womb, but
to his education, formation as his
servant grows up. (formed)
 Vv.6-7 also indicate the big mission of
his servant:
– To be a covenant of the people
(source of bonding)

– To be a light to the nations (guide)
– To open the eyes of the blind (gives
understanding)

– To bring out prisoners from the
prison cell (liberator)
– To bring those in darkness out of
dungeons (redeemer, ransom-er).

Reflections on the 1st reading
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Like God’s servant in Isaiah, we are also called to
establish justice upon the earth.
We have been called to serve God’s interests by
virtue of our baptism.
It is a contradiction in terms if we, Christians,
cause injustice, or, if we do not work for justice.
Now we do not talk of justice due only to us,
individuals, but also due to society (social justice)
and to the environment (environmental justice).
We can’t establish justice if we are isolated from
one another. (need for networking)

Resp. Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10
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R. (11b) The Lord will bless his people with
peace.

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1 Give to the LORD, you sons of God,
give to the LORD glory and praise,
2 Give to the LORD the glory due his name;
adore the LORD in holy attire.

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3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters,
the LORD, over vast waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is mighty;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.

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9 The God of glory thunders,
and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
10The LORD is enthroned above the flood.

Resp. Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10


R. (11b) The Lord will bless his
people with peace.



1 Give to the LORD, you sons of
God,
give to the LORD glory and
praise,
2 Give to the LORD the glory
due his name;
adore the LORD in holy attire.



3 The voice of the LORD is over
the waters,
the LORD, over vast waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is
mighty;
the voice of the LORD is
majestic.

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9 The God of glory thunders,
and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
10The LORD is enthroned above
the flood.

Commentary
 Vv.1-2 exhort us to give
glory to God.
 V.2 exhorts us to worship
God in holy (proper) attire.
 Vv.3,4, 9-10 give us the
reasons for giving God the
glory.
 The psalmist uses the forces
of nature to portray God’s
presence.
 God pervades over all (the

imagery recalls Genesis 1,1-3 or
the flood story).



The author uses the
vocabulary of the ancient
Canaanites.

Reflections on the Psalm
God does not only speak to us tenderly.
 He also speaks to us thunderously, shaking us
or even frightening us.
 God makes himself felt through his voice.
 Therefore, when we hear his voice, when he
shakes us, we must render him glory.
 If we do not hear his voice, we must seek
healing. We might be spiritually dead.


2nd reading: Acts 10:34-38
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34 Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered in
the house of Cornelius, saying, "In truth, I see
that God shows no partiality. 35 Rather, in every
nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is
acceptable to him. 36 You know the word (that)
he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace
through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, 37 what
has happened all over Judea, beginning in
Galilee after the baptism that John preached, 38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the
holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good
and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for
God was with him.



34 Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered in
the house of Cornelius, saying, "In truth, I see
that God shows no partiality. 35 Rather, in every
nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is
acceptable to him. 36 You know the word (that)
he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace
through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, 37 what
has happened all over Judea, beginning in
Galilee after the baptism that John preached, 38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the
holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good
and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for
God was with him.
The focus is on the anointed Jesus.

A simple outline!

God himself
 34 Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered in the
house of Cornelius, saying, "In truth, I see that God shows
no partiality. 35 Rather, in every nation whoever fears
him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.
God through Jesus Christ
 36 You know the word (that) he sent to the Israelites as
he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of
all, 37 what has happened all over Judea, beginning in
Galilee after the baptism that John preached, 38 how
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and
power. He went about doing good and healing all those
oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

God himself

Commentary





34 Peter proceeded to
speak to those gathered
in the house of
Cornelius, saying, "In
truth, I see that God
shows no partiality. 35
Rather, in every nation
whoever fears him and
acts uprightly is
acceptable to him.
God through Jesus Christ
 36 You know the word
(that) he sent to the
Israelites as he
proclaimed peace
through Jesus Christ,
who is Lord of all, 37
what has happened all
over Judea, beginning in
Galilee after the baptism
that John preached, 38
how God anointed Jesus
of Nazareth with the holy
Spirit and power. He
went about doing good
and healing all those
oppressed by the devil,
for God was with him.

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

Intro: Peter, the apostle, preaches in the
house of Cornelius, a Gentile. He explains
why he is there. (in previous verses)
In v.34, Peter affirms that God has no
partiality.
God does not discriminate against the
Gentiles.
God accepts all individuals who fear him
and are righteous. V.35
V.36 recalls God’s dealing with the
Israelites through Jesus Christ.
– Peace is proclaimed through Jesus Christ.

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V.37 points to the events after the baptism
of Jesus by John.
V.38 points also to the event when God
anoints Jesus with the Holy Spirit and
power.
– This is the baptism of Jesus.
V.38b indicates the mission of Jesus after
his baptism.
– Doing good
– Healing those oppressed by the devil
(exorcism)

Reflections on the 2nd reading
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As God loves everyone, so must we.
Jesus’ ministry consists in healing and casting out demons
and in doing good works.
In our baptism, we are called to share in the mission of
Jesus (preaching, healing, exorcising demons of our society, and
forgiving).

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Let us not squander our vocation.
Let us take responsibility… let us not prolong our
adolescence.
Let us not become instruments of the devil that promotes
complacency and negligence.
Let us live as committed / engaged Christians.

Gospel reading: Matthew 3:13-17
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13 Jesus came from Galilee to John at the
Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 John tried to
prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by
you, and yet you are coming to me?" 15 Jesus
said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is
fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he
allowed him. 16 After Jesus was baptized, he
came up from the water and behold, the
heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the
Spirit of God descending like a dove (and)
coming upon him. 17 And a voice came from
the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son,
with whom I am well pleased."



13 Jesus came from Galilee to John at the
Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 John tried to
prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by
you, and yet you are coming to me?" 15 Jesus
said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is
fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he
allowed him. 16 After Jesus was baptized, he
came up from the water and behold, the
heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the
Spirit of God descending like a dove (and)
coming upon him. 17 And a voice came from
the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son,
with whom I am well pleased."
The focus is on the baptism of Jesus.

A simple outline!

Jesus coming for baptism
 13 Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan
to be baptized by him. 14 John tried to prevent
him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and
yet you are coming to me?" 15 Jesus said to him
in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us
to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him.
After the baptism of Jesus
 16 After Jesus was baptized, he came up from
the water and behold, the heavens were opened
(for him), and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove (and) coming upon him.
17 And a voice came from the heavens, saying,
"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased."


Jesus coming for
baptism
 13 Jesus came
from Galilee to
John at the Jordan
to be baptized by
him. 14 John tried
to prevent him,
saying, "I need to
be baptized by
you, and yet you
are coming to
me?" 15 Jesus
said to him in
reply, "Allow it
now, for thus it is
fitting for us to
fulfill all
righteousness."
Then he allowed
him.

Commentary
 In v.13, Jesus volunteers to be
baptized.
 In v.14, John does not feel at
ease with Jesus coming to him
for baptism.
 John realizes his sinfulness and
Jesus’ holiness.
 In v.15, Jesus pleads with him.
 Reason: to fulfill all
righteousness. It is OK with
God if he is baptized.
 It is righteous to do so.
 John obeys even if he does not
understand.

After the baptism of
Jesus
 16 After Jesus was
baptized, he came
up from the water
and behold, the
heavens were
opened (for him),
and he saw the
Spirit of God
descending like a
dove (and) coming
upon him. 17 And
a voice came from
the heavens,
saying, "This is my
beloved Son, with
whom I am well
pleased."




Matthew does not describe how
John baptized Jesus.
In v.16, Matthew describes what
happens after the baptism of
Jesus:
– The heavens are opened.
– He sees the Spirit of God
descending upon him.
– A voice speaks.
 It affirms the identity of
Jesus: God’s beloved Son.
 It repeats what is said in the
first reading.

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The synoptics agree that before Jesus begins his
mission, he must first be baptized, where he is
introduced to the people as God’s beloved Son.
At baptism, Jesus is identified as coming from
God, as possessing the power of the Holy Spirit,
with wisdom and might.
Without baptism, Jesus cannot begin his mission.

Reflections on the gospel reading
Like in the baptism of Jesus, we are publicly
declared by God as his children, his sons and
daughters.
 We belong to God’s family.
 If we belong to God, then we have to live
according to his grace.
 Sin (un-Christian attitudes and behaviors, irreverence) should
have no place in our hearts and minds.
 We live according to our dignity as God’s children,
possessing God’s spirit of love, freedom and
righteousness.


Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
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From the Christian point of view, the first reading
speaks of Jesus as the servant, the chosen and
the beloved one of God, who has a big mission on
earth.
The psalm exhorts us to give glory to God, who
speaks in a loud voice, so audible that we cannot
ignore him.
The gospel reading describes how Jesus is
baptized. He is declared as the beloved son of
God. It is the beginning of his mission.
In the second reading, Jesus, as baptized, goes
around from Galilee, doing good works and
powerful deeds not only to the Jews but also to
the Gentiles.

How to develop your homily / sharing
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The baptism of our Lord is the theme of this
Sunday’s liturgy.
His baptism is not that of repentance, but the
beginning of his mission.
In his baptism, God introduces Jesus to the
people as his beloved son.
For us, listeners, we must take Jesus seriously.
He is not an ordinary person, nor just one of the
religious charismatic leaders.
He is God-sent, anointed, comes from God and
has a divine mission.

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He does this through his words and deeds.
His words are his sayings, parables, teachings,
etc.
His deeds are his miracles, healings, casting out
of demons, and forgiving.



His awareness as the Son of God, beloved,
chosen one, etc., makes him stand by his
mission.

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This feast is a good occasion for us, Christians, to
reflect on our baptism.
Our baptism purifies us from our sins and
removes the original sin.
We are also declared by God as his beloved ones,
his sons and daughters.
Our baptism incorporates us into the family of
God, in the Church, Christ’s body.

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Our baptism marks the beginning of our mission.
 Doing nothing to spread the good news is
reneging in our vocation as Christians.
 Having no drive nor the energy to do some
mission and apostolate renders meaningless our
identity as Christians.
 There is no meaningful Christian life without a
commitment.


The Christian parents must be the first teachers
of their children on faith and morals, on human
values like justice and peace, harmony, love of
our planet earth, etc.
 They must also study their faith.
 Deep understanding of Christian faith makes one
committed to it.
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Catechism must be supported at all costs.
Alas, many of our churches spend more money
for renovations, physical improvements, and
decorations than supporting the catechists and
educating young people to the true faith in God.
Many church leaders and pastors are also
misguided regarding their priorities.
Sharing in the mission of Christ by virtue of our
baptism is not a picnic, but an intelligent
commitment and a total sacrifice to combat evil
and promote God’s interests

We have been baptized to enable us to
participate in the eucharistic celebrations.
 In the eucharist, we express our belief that we
are God’s children and we find meaning in our
identity only in the practice of our faith, in being
committed.
 In the eucharist, we show our consent to God
that we will share in His mission.
 In the eucharist, Jesus comes to console us in
the midst of the world’s opposition to be
evangelized by us.


Our Context of Sin and Grace
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Nominal christians

(Christians in name)
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Ignorance of faith
Negligent parents in terms
of teaching their children
how to pray and fear God
Tyrant missionaries
Ill-equipped missionaries
Spiritually dead Christians

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Whole family read the
Bible, they go to Church.
Missionaries focused on
evangelization, not on
gadgets
Prayerful missionary
presence
Committed Christians
Engaged Christians

Suggested Songs
 Go

Tell Everyone
 Isang Pananampalataya
 Service
 Christmas songs

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