Following on from the beginning of Ordinary Time, with the baptism of the Lord, we are given by today's readings a sense of what baptism entails. It is not some magical event that exists in isolation but an ongoing call and reality which finds its fulfilment in our heavenly destination. That is why we have the prayers and sprinkling of the coffin with holy water at funerals. Each one of us, therefore, is given a vocation of discipleship in baptism, even if we were baptized as infants, such that we live towards God's plan for each one of us. John the Baptist names the mission of Jesus: "' Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world'." (Jn 1: 29) Jesus affirms this mission when, at the Last Supper, he exclaims: "Drink from it (the cup filled with wine), all of you: for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Mtt 26: 27-28) In the other readings we get a sense of divine commissioning. God says to Israel: "I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." (Is 49: 6) St Paul greets the Corinthians: "To the Church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints...". (1 Cor 1: 2) We, too, have a calling to be saints and as we continue through 2022 let us call upon the Lord in prayer asking that the Holy Spirit guide us so that we may respond to that call. We do so with confidence knowing that: "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who seek him!". (Lk 11: 13)
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