Early in my career, my mentor wrote a strong endorsement letter for me. That letter helped the company see my potential and trust me over other candidates.

Last year, a CEO from Malaysia called, looking for a life coach to help him. He said I was recommended by another coach. Soon, the CEO confirmed: “Edwin, I’ve chosen you.”

Endorsements matter. In a world overflowing with information, we rely on testimonials, reviews, and referrals to decide whom to trust. Now, let me ask: Are you a strong endorser of your faith? If you say you follow Christ, do your words and actions make others believe in God?

At Jesus’ baptism, God Himself endorsed Jesus. “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). In the Second Reading, Peter realizes that God accepts those who fear Him and does what is right (Acts 10:34-35).

God endorsed Jesus. Jesus endorsed the Father. And the Father endorses those who are righteous.

Do we live in a way that God would endorse us? Do we live in a way that endorses God? 

Edwin S. Soriano (edwin@edwinsoriano.com)

reflect

If someone were to give a “review” of your life, would they see a testimony that endorses God?

Lord, make me a strong endorser of Your love through the life I live. 

Blessed William Carter, pray for us.

First Reading | Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7

The Sacrament of Baptism incorporates us into the Body of Christ. Jesus is also baptized in order to sanctify the waters of baptism for all who follow Him. Jesus is sinless and does not need the effect of the sacrament applied to Himself. In fact, He gives the sacrament its power by associating it with who He is—the Son of God. The voice from heaven is important as it affirms the identity of Jesus and reminds us to consider carefully all He says.

¹ Thus says the Lord: Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, ² not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. ³ A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, ⁴ until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching. ⁶ I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, ⁷ to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10

R: The Lord will bless his people with peace.

¹ Give to the Lord, you sons of God, give to the Lord glory and praise, ² give to the Lord the glory due his name; adore the Lord in holy attire. (R) ³ The voice of the Lord is over the waters, the Lord, over vast waters. ⁴ The voice of the Lord is mighty; the voice of the Lord is majestic. (R) The God of glory thunders, ⁹ and in his temple all say, “Glory!” ¹⁰ The Lord is enthroned above the flood; the Lord is enthroned as king forever. (R)

Second Reading | Acts 10:34-38

The Sacrament of Baptism is established early on in the life of the Church. Not only is there evidence that Jesus is baptized by John, but the practice continued throughout the ministry of Jesus and was carried on by the Early Church. It is also seen as the foundation of adult conversion. Let us never lose sight of the importance of baptism in our faith.

³⁴ Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered in the house of Cornelius, saying: “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. ³⁵ Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. ³⁶ You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, ³⁷ what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”

Gospel | Matthew 3:13-17

Jesus insists on being baptized as He knows this event will empower the Sacrament of Baptism that will be established in the Church. By His Baptism, Jesus fulfills His obligations as a Jew, but there is more to it than that. It is critical to understand that baptism incorporates us into the community of believers—those who believe that God has truly forgiven our sins and calls us into communion with Himself.

Gospel Acclamation

The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered: This is my beloved Son, listen to him.

¹³ Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” ¹⁵ Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. ¹⁶ After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. ¹⁷ And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” 

Reflect

“Within the Church, sins are forgiven in three ways: by baptism, by prayer, and by the greater humility of penance; yet God does not forgive sins except to the baptized.” (Saint Augustine)

Read the Bible in one year! Read MATTHEW 21 - 24 today.

A Postscript for Christmas

It was a week after Christmas, and two men were talking about the gifts they had received from family and friends. “I had a nice Christmas this year. I practically got everything that I wished for,” one man gushed. “How about you?” he asked the other. “Well, I had a few gifts that I liked, but I didn’t really get what I wanted,” he replied. “But it’s OK, after all, it’s not my birthday that I celebrate during Christmas,” he added.

Isn’t it true that we usually measure our Christmas by what we have received? We need to ask ourselves, “Whose birthday is it anyway that we are celebrating?” It is not ours but the Lord’s, so our concern should not be what we have received but ather what we have given away.

But what do we give to God? As the classic Christmas hymn wonders, “What can I give to the One who has everything?” There is nothing in us that did not come from God. What could He possibly need from us?

On second thought, there is something in us that did not come from Him, something that is truly just our own—our sinfulness. That is what we can give to the King, not because He needs it but because we need it—we need to be delivered and saved from it. This is the first gift of baptism. Baptism takes away the stain inherited by human nature from the sin of the first man and woman. Baptism reintegrates and establishes us as sons and daughters of the Father in Christ.

Our Christmas should also not be measured by what we have received, but more importantly, Who we have received. So, before we close the Christmas season, let me ask: how was your last Christmas? 

Fr. Joel O. Jason

reflection question

In Christmas, Christ became one with us. In baptism, we become one with Him.

Thank You, Jesus, for being one like us so we may become like You. Amen.

Today, I pry for: ____________________________________