NO PARTIALITY…

Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7

1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations.2 He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 3 a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. 4 He will not fail or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.
6 “I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations,7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

Acts 10:34-38

34 And Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality,35 but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.36 You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),37 the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Luke 3:15-16,21-22

15 As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened,22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, as a dove, and a voice came from heaven, “Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.”  

MEDITATION 

THE PROPHET ISAIAH  paints a sketch of a; concerned,loving, powerfull father figure who is also gentle, but not milquetoast and just, but not dictatorial. He calls all of us irrespective of our race or tribe to be a righteous people to the extent that He will take us by the hand and shine a light upon us, so we may be a light for others who walk in darkness. 

THE SECOND READING: Cornelius, a God fearing Roman military commander who was drawn to the Hebrew faith, received a angelic revelation from God to summon Peter to make known God’s revelation that was accomplished and fulfilled in Christ Jesus. Peter points to Jesus’ baptism and preaching as the predominate event and actions, that are the means of God’s salvific grace that is now available for all nations and individuals who desire to be delivered from oppression and evil.

THE GOSPEL READING: John the Baptist dispel the notion that he is the Messiah by deferring God’s work of mercy and grace to Christ who is mightier than he. The implication of John’s statement unequivocally denote that when a person is baptised and the name of Christ is invoked, the truine God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit manifest in the one who is baptised.

God is impartial and do not judge the nationality, character or the standing of the neophyte in the Sacred Ritual of baptism. Moreover it is indeed a supranatural transformative event whereby the priest, sponsor and or candidate submit to and invite the presence of the truine God into the life of the baptised, irrespective of their ancestry or disposition.

Catec 1254 For all the baptized, children or adults, faith must grow after Baptism. For this reason the Church celebrates each year at the Easter Vigil the renewal of baptismal promises. Preparation for Baptism leads only to the threshold of new life. Baptism is the source of that new life in Christ from which the entire Christian life springs forth.

LET US PRAY: Psalms 29:1-4,9-10
Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy array.
3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, upon many waters.4 The voice of the LORD is powerful, the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
9 The voice of the LORD makes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forests bare; and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king for ever.

Author. Henry R SYLVESTER 
Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.