BAPTISM OF THE LORD YEAR A, 2026 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10; Acts 10:34-38; Matthew 3:13-17

Two questions frequently asked: Why do the Catholic Church baptize babies since Jesus says in Mark 16:16, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved”? Children’s Baptism is both biblical and in Christian tradition. Luke 19:13-15, “Children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ After he placed his hands on them, he went away.” Children’s Baptism is a continuation of Jesus’ response towards children. Records of household Baptisms: Lydia’s household (Acts 16:15), Philippian jailer and his family (Acts 16:33), and Stephana’s household (1 Corinthians 1:16). “Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Anyone who swerves when old, after receiving the way to go when young, is responsible for his or her actions.

What is the difference between John the Baptist’s Baptism and Jesus’ Baptism? John’s Baptism was not Trinitarian. That is, it was not, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19), which is why the Catholic Church does not recognize any baptism that is not Trinitarian. John’s Baptism was a call to repentance and preparation of the Messiah. Jesus’ Baptism is Trinitarian, which we are celebrating its significance today.

Last Sunday was the Feast of the Epiphany (revelation) of the Lord. The revelation continues today with his Baptism. As we read in today’s gospel, God himself and the Holy Spirit are the witnesses to Jesus’ revelation. God makes a public declaration about Jesus, not through any prophet, not through any angel, not through the shepherds, not through the Magi, not through Simeon and Anna, not through John the Baptist, but by himself and in the presence of the Holy Spirit. The gospel says that when Jesus was baptized, “… the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3:16-17).

Maximus of Turin explains, “Christ is baptized, not that he may be sanctified in the waters, but that he himself may sanctify the waters… For when the Savior is washed, then already for our Baptism all water is cleansed and the fount purified… Christ therefore takes the lead in Baptism, so that Christian people may follow after him with confidence.”

Last Sunday, the Magi brought mystical gifts to Jesus foreshadowing his messianic mission: gold (his kingship), frankincense (his priesthood), and myrrh (his burial). In the same way, an earlier revelation of Jesus’ mission was prophesied by Isaiah as in the first reading, “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased. Upon him I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations. … [He is] a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness” (Isaiah 42:1, 6-7). As we begin the second week of the year, we pray that the light of Jesus lights our way and dispels every darkness of the past year. May we be healed from every blindness of the past year. May we be released from every confinement and dungeon of the past year. Amen. As Advent and Christmas decorations are taken down from today, let us not take down the graces of Advent and Christmas that we have received.

In the second reading, Peter speaks of Jesus’ mission: “He went about doing good and healing all those possessed by the devil, for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). We pray that in the new year, we will experience God’s goodness, healing, and deliverance in abundance. Amen.

Some people mistake Baptism as a Christian naming ceremony. Baptism is the spiritual and mystical foundation of other Sacraments and our spiritual lives. If the baptismal foundation is absent, there is nothing sacramental to build upon. If the baptismal foundation becomes weak at any stage, the spiritual building becomes weak. If baptismal promises collapse, the spiritual dwelling collapses.

Today’s celebration summons us to ‘Three Rs,” Remembering, Reflection, and Renewal:

That our Baptism is our spiritual rebirth,

That our Baptism frees us from original sin,

That our Baptism grants us saving grace,

That our Baptism grants us sanctifying grace,

That our Baptism makes us members of Christ’s Body, the Church,

That our Baptism makes us faithful followers of Christ,

That our Baptism sealed us with indelible spiritual mark,

That our Baptism makes us dwelling places of the Holy Spirit,

That by our Baptism we reject Satan, his works, and all his empty promises,

That by our Baptism we reject evil’s glamor and refuse to be mastered by sin,

That the oils of our Baptism are oils of our salvation,

That the water of our Baptism is our spiritual cleansing,

That our white garment at our Baptism means our Christian dignity,

That the lighted candle at our Baptism means that we are children of light,

That the prayer over our ear at our Baptism opens our ears to hear God’s word,

That the prayer over our mouth at our Baptism opens our mouth to proclaim our faith,

That our Baptism makes us beloved children of God and pleasing to him,

That our Baptism is the gateway to our eternal life.

O Lord, bless all who nurtured us and all who still nurture us to keep alive the graces of our Baptism. Amen.

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD YEAR A, 2026 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Ephesians 32-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12

The word Epiphany comes from two Greek words ‘epi’ meaning ‘on’ or ‘over’ or ‘upon,’ and ‘phania’ meaning ‘appearance’ or ‘revelation’ or ‘manifestation.’ Epiphania (epiphany) means the appearance or revelation or manifestation of Jesus on earth.

Epiphany of the Lord started before the arrival of the Magi (Latin word meaning wise men). The angels had revealed to the shepherds, “… For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. … When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So, they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherd” (Luke 2:8-18).

The above narrative is very striking. The birth of Jesus was first revealed to mere shepherds, not to high-profiled people. The angles did not tell the shepherds to go and verify. They decided by themselves and went in haste. When the shepherds saw as the angels told them, they told other people. Therefore, the news about the birth of the Messiah was already whispered in town before the arrival of the Magi, but from all indications, it had not reached the king’s and his officials’ ears. As we read in today’s gospel, it was the Magi who announced the birth of the Messiah to King Herod and his officials. From then, the news was no longer whispered but became public; the reason why the visit of the Magi is called Epiphany (the disclosure or revelation of the Lord.)

Matthew 2:1 informs us that the Magi came from the East to Jerusalem. It has been suggested that the East was, perhaps, within the region of the present-day Iran.

The Magi saw a spectacular star, which they, rightly, interpreted to signify the birth of the Messiah. They prophetically brought gifts to Jesus according to his messianic mission: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold symbolizes Jesus’ kingship, frankincense his priesthood, and myrrh his death. The Magi were non-Jews. It was God’s plan that through their visit, the birth of Jesus was, also, revealed to the non-Jewish world. The Magi, no doubt, returned to the East with the news of the birth of Jesus.

It was not only the Magi that saw the spectacular star. Some people saw it, admired it, but it meant nothing to them. Some people saw it, knew that it signified something special but did nothing about it. Only the Magi, after seeing the star, like the shepherds, went in haste to find out the star’s significance. They followed the star to where Jesus was born. The Magi’s journey of about 800 to 900 miles took them months through hills, deserts, and rivers. Not even Herod could stop their mission. This means that the level of perseverance and passion determines the level of success. The Magi teach us that by determination, perseverance, and goodwill, we will accomplish our mission. We pray that God sends us guiding stars and that we may recognize and follow the guiding star to what God has in stock for us. The Magi teach us to see something and do something; not see, talk, and do nothing.

In the New Year, may we experience our own epiphany (a new awakening) in our relationship with God in our desires, decisions, plans, and lives. We pray that the Spirit of Jesus awakens our minds and hearts and reveal to us God’s hidden treasures.

The Magi brought gifts to Jesus. What gifts do we resolve to bring to Jesus in 2026? The greatest gift we can bring to Jesus is to become like St. Paul, stewards of God’s graces and co-partners of Jesus, as the second reading challenges us (Ephesians 3:2, 6). May God use us to become shining stars wherever we are. May we allow God to use us to become guiding stars *for others. May no cloud of darkness obscure our light. Amen. This reminds me of the song, “Try a Little Kindness.”

 *If you see your brother standing by the road, with a heavy load from the seeds he sowed;

And if you see your sister falling by the way, just stop and say you're goin' the wrong way;

You've got to try a little kindness yes show a little kindness; yes shine your light for everyone to see;

And if you'll try a little kindness, you'll overlook the blindness, of the narrow minded people on the narrow minded streets …* 

The birth of Jesus made the angels sing, made the shepherds rejoice, and made the Magi come all the way from the East in wonder and adoration. But it made King Herod greatly troubled and he planned to kill Jesus. Of course, Jesus was not to become an earthly king to take over Herod’s kingship. There are ‘herods’ who are narrow minded, who misjudge, who are mischievous, envious, jealous, and greatly troubled by other people’s accomplishments and they to kill and destroy. We pray for the repentance of such people. May God protect us from unrepentant ‘herods.’ We are all invited to become stewards of God’s graces, not tools of destruction.

Lastly, the Magi did not return to Herod, as he mischievously requested. They listened to God’s warning and departed by another way.  What other ways can we follow in 2026 instead of continuing on narrow minded alleys, streets, and ways that have not helped, that lead astray or even destroy? We pray that we may see the guiding stars and the new high ways God has for us in the New Year. Amen.

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH, YEAR A, 2025 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Psalm 128:1-5; Colossians 3:12-21; Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

Today’s feast is of utmost importance to all of us since we all belong to families; and the family is the first and the greatest institution God created. No doubt, we are passing through difficult times whereby many families are fractured, hurting, and disordered in one way or another. Since families are the foundations and the constituents of societies, fractured, hurting, and disordered families mean fractured, hurting, and disordered societies. Therefore, the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is a model for all families.

Being a holy family did not mean that everything was well and smooth for them. It was a lowly family with many ups and downs. Mary’s pregnancy brought a troubling situation for both Mary and Joseph. However, they accepted the situation when each of them was ministered to by the angel of the Lord. Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). As for Joseph, “When he awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded and took his wife into his home” (Matthew 1:24-25). Joseph became Jesus’ foster father. He played the role exceptionally well. May God bless all good foster parents and all foster carers. We know that there are horrible foster parents and foster carers. We hear many gruesome stories.

Mary gave birth to Jesus in a very difficult circumstance. After a long journey on foot from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census, a distance of about 100 miles (161 kilometers), there was no inn. They went to a shed on a farm where Mary gave birth to Jesus. It was not recorded that any nurse or midwife was available to help. We can only imagine how tough it was for the two of them, all alone.

During the presentation of Jesus in the temple, Simeon prophesied to Mary that a sword would pierce her heart. A sword pierced Mary’s heart when the family fled to Egypt to save Jesus from being murdered by Herod. Today’s gospel tells us the story. One other good thing about their escape to Africa is that Africa also became central in salvation history. A sword pierced her heart when Jesus got separated from her and Joseph after the feast of Passover in Jerusalem. Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the temple after searching for him for three days. A sword pierced Mary’s heart when she witnessed Jesus carrying the cross, his crucifixion, his death, and his burial. As we can see, the Holy Family was not spared from earthly troubles.

Therefore, we have so much to learn from the Holy Family that can help us to keep our families from falling apart. Pope Paul VI describes the Holy Family as a school of Nazareth where we learn true science of life and the higher wisdom of divine truth. We pray to draw courage and wisdom from the Holy Family’s experience as we journey through our family’s ups and downs.

The first reading reminds us that, “God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority over her [children].” Parents must not lose this God-given authority. Parents must not allow governments, social media, and gadgets to snatch their children from them. Parents must not give in to children’s manipulations. They are experts at that. Proverbs 22:15 says, “Folly is bound to the heart of a youth, but the rod of discipline will drive it out.” And Proverbs 13:24 says, “Whoever spares the rod hates the child, but whoever loves will apply discipline.” We are seeing what the society is becoming as the society sees discipline as abuse and hurting children, and so we no longer discipline them. One obvious result of this is that we have a generation that is spiritually hollow, unable to see meaning in hard work and perseverance, and incapable of prevailing in hardship. Jesus grew under his parents and became strong, filled with wisdom; and God’s favor rested upon him (Luke 2:40). “Jesus grew under his parents” means that Jesus grew under the discipline of his parents. 

The first reading contains blessings for children who honor their parents and who take care of their parents in their old age. However, Sirach 3:16 warns children who disrespect their parents and abandon them in their old age: “Those who neglect their father are like blasphemers; those who provoke their mother are accursed by their Creator.” On the other hand, the second reading challenges parents not to maltreat their children so that they may not become discouraged (Colossians 3:21). Everyone has an important part to play.

There is no perfect family. Turning on one another and violence to one another make matters worse. For this reason, the second reading encourages us on how to cope with family imperfections to avoid disorderliness, fights, breakdowns, and disintegrations. The reading says, “Put on … heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another. … And over all these, put on love…. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, … And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (Colossians 3:12-17). We can see, here, that St. Paul also encourages families to pray together. “A family that prays together stays together.”

Our reflection today goes beyond our biological families. It extends to other families we belong to such as church family, religious family, business family, groups, associations, and so on.

May the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph pray for our families. Amen.

CHRISTMAS, 2025 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

 Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98:1-6; Hebrews 1-6; John 1:1-14

The word ‘Christmas’ originates from the Latin phrase 'Cristes Maesse,' meaning Christ’s Mass.

Christmas celebration is the most festive time in the world. Andy Williams’ Christmas song, refers to the Christmas season as “the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” One of the lines of the lyrics says, “It’s the hap-happiest season of all.” While Christians celebrate the commemoration of the birth of Jesus, the effects of the celebration are felt all over the world. The fact that the word ‘Christmas’ is on the lips of believers and non-believers is the reason Pope St. Leo the Great says, “No body is an outsider to this happiness. The same joy is common to all …” Indeed, Jesus is the reason for the season!

In 2004, Alan Gurney wrote a book entitled, The Compass, a Story of Exploration and Innovation. It is a story of a boat with the latest high-tech. In the morning, the boat set sail, guided by a sophisticated computer program. Everything progressed as programmed. On the first night, the open sea was moonless and starless, a night of total darkness. Then, the unexpected happened. Without warning, all the electronics on board failed. The screen went blank. It was a night with no moon or stars to serve as beacons, and no lighthouses in sight to guide the boat to a safe harbor. Another complication was that no one on board had thought to bring a simple compass that could have guided the boat to safety. The boat sailed blindly and tempest-tossed the whole night without any directional guides. However, there was a great sigh of relief when, in the early hours of the pitch-dark morning, the dense clouds parted, and the North Star appeared in the heavens. The North Star guided the crew out of harm’s way until the sun appeared. Then, the highly humbled crew returned the latest high-tech boat to the safe harbor. (From Archbishop George Leo Thomas’ homily).

Revelations 22:16 refers to Jesus as “the Bight Morning Star” and Malachi 4:2 refers to him as “the Sun of Righteousness.”  The morning star is the brightest star in the night sky, which heralds the dawn and the end of darkness. The Bright Morning Star, Jesus, is our hope and our salvation. As the Sun of Righteousness, he is the light that dispels every darkness. Jesus says, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).

The first reading of the midnight Mass says, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone” (Isaiah 9:2). We read in today’s gospel, “What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. …The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world” (John1:4-9).

 

While our high-tech world is wonderful, it is not our hope and salvation. Our high-tech world without Jesus becomes high-tech lies, high-tech stealing, high-tech corruption, high-tech injustice, high-tech immoral life, high-tech wars and violence, and all kinds of high-tech evils. These are the darkness of this world which only the light of Christ dispels. To those who accept him, he gives power to become children of God who darkness cannot overcome (John 1:11-12). Jesus is the light in our darkness. He is our “Wonderful-Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6). Without him, we lose the way. With him, we are back on track. He is our restorer.

Jesus was born in an animals’ shed because human beings could not provide an inn for Mary and Joseph. The commemoration of the birth of Jesus is our opportunity to provide an inn for Jesus to be born again in our lives.

Christmas brings great beauty. Homes, churches, shops, offices, and streets are beautifully decorated with Christmas trees, wreaths, flowers, lights, and gifts. Christmas will have the best positive impact if we undergo a spiritual rebirth and we are spiritually decorated with hope, peace, joy, and love, which we prayed for during the four Sundays of Advent. Christmas will have the best positive impact if we give to others and receive from others hope, peace, joy, and love. Give someone hope! Give someone peace! Give someone joy! Give someone love! Receive hope! Receive peace! Receive joy! Receive love! If this exchange happens, Christmas is properly celebrated.

Merry Christmas to you all.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR A, 2025 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24:1-6; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24

Today, we light the fourth candle, which is called the candle of love.  The circle is complete. The first candle symbolizes hope. The second candle symbolizes peace.  The third candle symbolizes joy.

The first Christmas happened because “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (John 3:16). “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16). We live in love of God and appreciate his for us when reciprocate God’s love by sharing his love with fellow human beings. By so doing, Christmas is properly celebrated. “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (1 John 4:20-21). Lighting the candle of love is our prayer that love may conquer hate and animosity. May the Advent journey and Christmas celebrations enable us to become channels of God’s love. 

In the first reading, Ahaz, the king of Judah, refused to trust God and do what God commanded him to do. At that time, Ahaz was surrounded by his enemies, the king of Damascus and the king of Samaria. Ahaz was frightened. God sent Isaiah to him to encourage him not to panic, and not to seek support from pagan nations. Ahaz refused and aligned himself with the king of Assyria, built pagan altars of Assyrian gods, and led the people astray. Ahaz was defeated, and history records that more than 120,000 of his soldiers were killed, and thousands of Judeans were carried off as captives to Damascus.

During difficult times, let us not panic or seek solution through sinful means. God does not approve solutions through sinful means. Any apparent solution through sinful means is bound to fail sooner or later. Therefore, let us, always, trust God and wait for him to act (Psalm 37).

Unlike Ahaz, Mary said ‘yes’ to God and became the channel through which Jesus came into the world. In the same way, God has been inviting us throughout the Advent journey to become channels of his love in our world. This is what St. Paul means in the second reading where he says, “We have received the grace of apostleship” (Romans 1:5). We are, therefore, apostles and messengers of God’s love. An apostle or a messenger listens to the voice of his master or her mistress and does the will of his master or her mistress, not his or her own will.

Joseph is another example for us. In today’s gospel, he faced a difficult situation. He was not responsible for Mary’s pregnancy. The gospel tells us that Joseph, being a righteous man, was unwilling to expose Mary to shame. He decided to divorce her quietly. Why?

In ancient Israel, women were given to marriage at a very young age. Most girls were betrothed before they were fourteen years old. With such culture, premarital sex was very rare. However, in the Old Testament, there are harsh punishments for premarital sex and premarital or extramarital pregnancy. For instance, if a man marries a girl who was presented to be a virgin, and later he finds out that she is not a virgin, “they shall bring the young woman to the entrance of her father’s house and there the men of her town shall stone her to death, because she committed a shameful crime in Israel by prostituting herself in her father’s house” (Deuteronomy 22:19-21). Joseph had concluded not to subject Mary to such shameful and cruel punishment even before the angel of the Lord visited him with instructions from God. Joseph, surely, was a devout Jew, but not a slave of the law. How often do we judge and punish others without mercy! Joseph’s self-control, understanding, compassion, and obedience to God’s will are a challenge to us. 

Unlike Ahaz who did not listen to Isaiah, Joseph listened to the message of the angel of the Lord and did what God directed him to do. He did not divorce Mary. He took her as his wife, and by so doing, he became the foster father of Jesus.

Always, in one way or another, God sends us messengers and messages. Do we listen to him? Indeed, we have a lot to learn from Joseph’s response to the news of Mary’s pregnancy.

Today’s gospel tells us that ‘Emmanuel’ means “God is with us” (Matthew 1:23). Yes, Jesus is God made flesh. He is the reason for the season. Therefore, over and above the commercial and social activities of the season, Jesus remains the reason for the season.

Through him, God is with us always to the end of time (Matthew 20:28). God be with us this Christmas season. God be with us as the year 2025 ends. God be with us when the New Year begins. With you, O God, no one can be against us. Amen.