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The Baptism of the Lord [C]
January 9, 2022
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

Jesus’ Baptism is the starting point of Jesus’ public ministry. This explains why the Church always opens the ordinary season of the liturgical years with the story of Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordan. However, the question that I often face is ‘Why did Jesus need to be baptized?” If Jesus is God and sinless, why did He has to undergo John’s Baptism of repentance?”

The Church answered this question a long time ago. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The baptism of Jesus is on his part the acceptance and inauguration of his mission as God’s suffering Servant. He allows himself to be numbered among sinners; he is already “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”. Already he is anticipating the “baptism” of his bloody death… [CCC 536].”

To elaborate more on the Church’s teaching, Jesus’ Baptism shows His solidarity with us, sinners. Though He was not a sinner, He shared the lot of sinners. During the Incarnation, Jesus takes upon Himself our weak and limited human nature. Yet, it does not stop there. He also shares our suffering and death. Jesus’ Baptism in Jordan anticipates His true ‘baptism’ on the cross. Once again, this shows to us how God loves us to the end. When Jesus loves, He gives it all.

From here, we discover that why we are baptized is not because this is a long family tradition imposed upon us, but it is our participation in the Baptism and life of Christ. If Jesus’ Baptism is a sign of His solidarity with weak human beings, our Baptism is the sign of our unity with our brothers and sisters, especially those suffering. If Christ’s Baptism is anticipation of His Suffering and Death, our Baptism is our death to old life and selfishness. If Jesus’ Baptism is a sign of His sacrificial love, our Baptism shall propel us to love God and our neighbours totally.

Some of us got baptized when we were little children, and perhaps, we do not recall what happened. We do not get the feeling, and because of that, we want to repeat the whole process with more dramatic effects. Some wish to be submerged into a deep pool, and some want to be baptized in the Jordan River. Some only accept their Baptism as something good if they feel the sudden rush of the Holy Spirit. Yet, the sacrament of Baptism is not about our feelings; in fact, it is not about us. True Baptism makes us Christians, ‘little Christs’, and we are called to live like one. What matters is not how we feel about our Baptism, but how we live our Baptism.

The Church teaches us that sacramental Baptism is once and for all. When we are baptized, all our sins are forgiven, we are transformed into God’s children, and we become parts of Christ’s body, the Church. Baptism begins our salvation, but it does not end there. What is even more important is how we live our Baptism, how we participate in the life and mission of Christ, and how we love as Jesus loves.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

The Solemnity of the Epiphany [C]

January 2, 2022

Matthew 2:1-12

The season of Christmas reaches its culmination in the feast of Epiphany. Epiphany comes from a Greek word that means ‘to appear.’ Thus, the feast is celebrating the appearance of Jesus to the nations represented by the Magi. We are not sure who these Magi are, but the traditions have that they are wise men from the East, most probably from Persia or present-day Iran. The bible does not give us the exact number, let alone the names, but the tradition calls them Baltazar, Gaspar, and Melchior.

If we try to go back to the beginning of Matthew, we will discover the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Matthew begins with Abraham, the patriarch of Israel, David, the greatest king of Israel, and Joseph, a simple yet righteous Jewish man. Matthew demonstrates to us that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, David, and Israel. He is coming as the Jewish Messiah. A Catholic philosopher and theologian, Peter Kreeft, summarizes the Gospel of Matthew as ‘A Gospel from a Jew, for the Jews about the Jewish Messiah.’

Yet, the same evangelist presents us with a large picture. Though Jesus was coming from the line of David and raised as a Jewish man as a devout Israelite family, Jesus was not an ‘exclusivist’ Messiah. Jesus is the Anointed One of the Jewish people only, but He is the Savior for all the world. This identity is manifested in the visit of the Magi.

The three Magi are not Israelites, and in fact, they might worship other gods. Yet, they knew that deep inside, something is still missing. In their human wisdom, they keep on searching for the truth that will satisfy their deepest longing. Their research and investigation prompt them to look for a newborn king. When they finally see the baby Jesus, they prostrate themselves in the act of adoration and worship and acknowledge that this baby is not just an ordinary king of a small nation in the Middle East. He is the king of kings.

We are the Magi. Most of us are not Jewish people, let alone coming from the line of David, but we are looking for something or someone that will fill our deepest desire. However, we are much fortunate than the Magi. They need to learn and gain wisdom through the years, and sometimes, they stumble into errors because of human weakness. God gives a much clearer direction toward truth and salvation by becoming a man. He is the way, the truth, and the life [John 14:6]. His word is a lamp to our feet and a light unto our path [Psa 119:105]. His body is real food, and His blood is real drink, and we who partake in Him shall have life [John 6:51-57].

Compared to the Magi, with Jesus and His Church, we have a highway to true blessedness. Now, the real question is whether we are humble enough like the Magi to acknowledge that we need God and commit ourselves to walk in His way?

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Feast of the Holy Family [C]

Sunday, December 26, 2021

Luke 2:41-52

A Sunday after the day of Christmas is the celebration of the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. Why is it so? After a couple gets married, the next thing that happens is that life shall be born, and this brings marriage into its fruitfulness. They become a family. The birth of Jesus Christ unites Joseph and Mary even more intimately as they become a holy family. Thus, we can say that the purpose of Jesus’ coming to the world is to form a family. It begins with Joseph and Mary, and eventually, He shall establish His own family, the Church.

If we see the story of creation in the Book of Genesis, God created the world suited for life to flourish. Yet, it does not stop with simple forms of life like amoeba and bacteria, but life reaches its pinnacle in human persons. However, the story of creation does not end there. God gave Adam and Eve His first commandment: be fruitful! Thus, the summit of the creation of the universe is the creation of a family. Family is not human or Church’s invention, but it is God’s plan from eternity. Family life is a natural way for men and women to achieve full human flourishing and happiness. The birth of Jesus brings marriage and family life to a supernatural level. The presence of Jesus sanctifies Joseph and Mary, and Jesus is the one who makes this family holy.

Marriage and family life are not always easy, and in fact, often husbands and wives have to face countless trials and sufferings. This takes place because the institution of marriage and family is designed to route selfishness and invite us to die to ourselves. But, the paradox is that as we are dying to ourselves, we find ourselves fully alive.

Unfortunately, the devil and his cohorts just know too well of this, and thus, their most extraordinary attack is on marriage and family. When the men and women do not give up entirely on marriage and family and fall into selfishness, we fail to achieve our true flourishing. When young couples begin to hate the idea of marriage and see it as mere chores, we begin to lose our future. When couples see having children as a burden, we let the best gifts in our lives and societies disappear. When we allow ourselves to redefine marriage to suit our political agenda, we lose what makes us human.

The feast of the Holy Family reminds us that family is both a natural and supernatural way toward happiness. Yet, everything that is precious is never cheap. The devil knows this and tried to steal it from us. We need to defend it and fight for it and make it genuinely fruitful, but eventually, we must bring Jesus as the center of our lives and families.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

4th Sunday of Advent [C]

December 19, 2021

Luke 1:39-45

Mary was going to the place of Elizabeth in haste. But, why did she have to go in haste? Mary was full of excitement and joy Mary because she knew that her beloved relative had received the miracle from God. Elizabeth who called barren, was pregnant with a child. Mary was full of joy as she would like to witness this mighty deed of God.

The excitement and joy were shared by Elizabeth when Mary arrived and greeted her. By the Holy Spirit’s guidance, Elizabeth recognized who Mary is. She is not just another relative, but Mary is the blessed among women because she was with God-made-man. Thus, Elizabeth dared to call her the mother of her Lord. Mary’s encounter with Elizabeth is also the first encounter between two great protagonists in the Gospel: Jesus and John the Baptist, between the Messiah and the one who prepares His way. Elizabeth immediately felt that the baby in her womb was leaping for joy upon hearing Mary’s greetings. Joy and excitement are not being shared by Mary and Elizabeth, but by John.

However, behind excitement and joy, there were great dangers and uncertainties. Mary was pregnant without a man. According to Torah [Deu 22:20], she could have been stoned and died. If she survived the death, Mary would bear the stigma and shame for her entire life. Elizabeth’s situation was not much better. As a woman who was already advanced in age, pregnancy and the process of deliverance could be extremely risky and even leading to death. Things just do not look good for these two mothers.

Yet, despite these terrible possibilities, both Mary and Elizabeth chose to rejoice and be full of excitement. What are the reasons? Firstly, both Mary and Elizabeth believed in the word and plan of God. Elizabeth herself said, “Blessed are you who believed that was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Both Mary and Elizabeth both understood that God’s plan for them was not always readily comprehensible and often involved great sufferings. Mary was facing the real possibility of stoning, and Elizabeth may not survive the childbearing, but both believed that God’s will is always the best plan for them. Joy springs after Mary and Elizabeth die to their own selves and let God’s will live in their wombs. Joy is always a pure gift, and these women are amazingly strong to open their hearts to God’s works.

Secondly, Mary and Elizabeth do not work alone. Another reason Mary visited Elizabeth is to accompany and assist her in the days of pregnancy and birth. Mary as a much younger and stronger relative opted to give her best supports in Elizabeth’s life-giving moment. We may argue that Elizabeth safely gave birth to John because Mary was giving her helping hands. At the same time, Elizabeth as an elder relative of Mary, strengthened and comforted Mary in this troubled time. Both survived and flourished because of God’s grace and also their love and care for one another.

Mary and Elizabeth are strong women because they rely on each other. Mary and Elizabeth are the happiest women because they give themselves up to God.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Third Sunday of Advent [C]

December 12, 2021

Luke 3:10-18

Phil 4:4-8

The third Sunday of Advent is well known as Gaudete Sunday, or the rejoicing Sunday. The lovely Sunday takes its root from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, our second reading for the mass. St. Paul reminds the Christians in Philippi to rejoice always [Phil 4:4]. Thus, Gaudete Sunday invites us to possess that lasting joy, and must not be gloomy while we are preparing ourselves for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

if we try to closely reflect St. Paul’s words, we will discover something utterly amazing. St. Paul is not simply advising us to rejoice from time to time, but he commands us to rejoice all the time! How is it possible? Sadness and sorrow are inevitable parts of our lives. We are sad when we experience failures, we mourn when we lose someone important in our lives, and we feel the pain when we are hurt. It seems that St. Paul was overly optimistic about life. Yet, Paul simply teaches the truth. On a deeper level, sorrow and joy are not contradictory. For Paul, we can have a profound joy despite our sadness and sufferings.

If we try to examine Paul’s life, we will have a better understanding of what he means. Paul used to be the archenemy and persecutor of the Church, but after he encountered Jesus, he repented and became a zealous apostle of Christ. Was his life getting better after following Jesus? Not at all! Paul himself shared many hardships he had to endure for the sake of Christ and His body. Often, he got stoned, bitten, and imprisoned. When he was traveling, he endured the scourging sun and the freezing nights. Sometimes, he faced betrayals and false brothers. Yet, most of all, he had to take care of his flocks with all their problems and stubbornness.

His final ordeal was when he was under house arrest in Rome. He was waiting for his trial before Caesar, and the future was bleak as Nero the mad man was the emperor. He was in the chain and a Roman soldier constantly watched over him. Yet, despite this, he wrote a letter to the Philippians and asked them to rejoice always. How is it even possible?

The secrets are within the same letter. After commanding the Philippians to rejoice always, St. Paul asked for two things: do not worry about anything and to pray in thanksgiving always. Firstly, Paul was indeed in terrible situations, but he was not worried because he entrusted his life to God. He had faith that God would take care of him well. Secondly, Paul offered everything to the Lord in his prayer. More remarkably, he gave thanks always in his prayers. Paul even was able to appreciate ‘bad things’ in his life as an opportunity to praise the Lord. This is the secret of joy according to St. Paul. Do not worry, pray and be grateful!

What is more fascinating is that the word thanksgiving used by Paul in Greek is ‘eucharistia’. This reminds us of all that at the core of our worship is thanksgiving. Everytime we worship the Lord in the mass, we throw away our anxiety, offer our lives, and give thanks for everything we have received. Thus, joy is the inevitable result of our worship.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP