January 18, 2026 at Saint Peter the Apostle, St Finbarr & Saint William Churches in Naples, FL
Isaiah 49: 3, 5-6 + Psalm 40 + 1 Corinthians 1: 1-3 + John 1: 29-34
There is hardly a more consistent thread running through all four Gospels than the effort to reveal the identity of Jesus Christ. Matthew and Luke begin that revelation by presenting a Genealogy through which they begin to establish who is this man. Midway through Mark’s Gospel after dropping numerous clues, Jesus asks, “Who do people say that I am.” Today John goes straight to the issue in the 29th verse of the first chapter by having the Baptist announce the identity of Jesus. He is the one on whom God’s Spirit comes to rest like a dove.
Until the identity of Jesus is confirmed, what he does means very little. Until then he is just a man from Nazareth, a carpenter. Yet, he speaks with authority and reveals God with powerful signs and words. His baptism is the defining moment that sets the trajectory of his life and begins his ministry. Not until that moment is it really clear what and how his life and his mission will unfold.
It is the same for you and me. Our baptisms establish who we are and what we are about. Sadly, the reality and the importance of this moment has slid into something that happens just because it’s what we have always done or because Mom and Dad expect it. As a result, our real identity is vague at best, and our mission is never quite clear or consistent.
As a people baptized into the Spirit of Jesus Christ our mission is to become so like him that others might recognize him in us. The only way this is possible is because we listen and learn imitating him with our thoughts, words, and deeds. All of that happens because we come to trust his presence in our lives so much so that we communicate often by prayer, hear his word in our assembly at the Eucharist, and consume his body and blood. As Saint Augustine said: “We become what we receive.”
This day and the Gospel we proclaim is as much about our identity as it is about the identity of Jesus Christ. We are reminded that we too are beloved by God, called by God, with a mission to be God’s presence to those who seek the face of Divine Love. When life confronts any of us with questions and doubts, we know and can proclaim that we are with Christ, in Christ, and for Christ who lives in us. To be his body in this world is the essence of our faith and the joy of the Gospel.