Reflection Guide (For January 16, 2026 BLDLV)

Reflection Guide

January 11, 2026 (Cycle A, Year II) – The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Community Word: Jesus, Light of the world, is the Revelation of God’s love.

Theme: We follow the light of Christ when we listen to the voice of the Father calling for justice and righteousness.

Promise: “I have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand …a light for the nations.” (Is 42: 6)

Reflection

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is a significant moment in the public life of Jesus. As He emerges from the waters of the Jordan, the heavens open, the Spirit descends upon Him, and the voice of the Father is heard: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” (Mt 3:17). This divine affirmation reveals not only the identity of Jesus but also the nature of His mission. He is the Beloved Son sent to bring justice, healing, and righteousness to a broken world. In this revelation, we are likewise invited to understand our own calling as disciples who follow His light.

To follow the light of Christ begins with listening attentively to the voice of the Father. In Scripture, God’s voice consistently calls His people to justice, compassion, and fidelity. Justice, in the biblical sense, is not merely fairness but the right relationship, with God, with others, and with creation. Righteousness flows from a life aligned with God’s will. As the psalm proclaims, “The Lord blesses his people with peace” (Ps 29:11). This peace flows from lives ordered according to God’s will. At the baptism of Jesus, the Father declares His pleasure not because of worldly success, but because the Son is perfectly obedient and fully surrendered to His saving mission. This obedience becomes the model for all who are baptized into Christ.

Our own baptism initiates us into this same mission. We are not passive recipients of grace; we are sent. The Spirit who descended upon Jesus also dwells in us, empowering us to live out our faith concretely. Listening to the Father requires discernment and humility. It means allowing God’s word to challenge our personal comfort, our biases, and even our silence in the face of injustice. As Christians, we are called to stand for truth, to defend the dignity of every person, and to choose what is right even when it is difficult or costly.

Within the context of community life, such as in the BLD community, this call takes on a shared dimension. We listen to the Father not only as individuals but as a covenant community. Our worship, formation, and service should lead us to greater sensitivity to the needs of others and to a collective response rooted in love and unity. When we act justly and live righteously as a community, we become credible witnesses of Christ’s light in the world.

Following the light of Christ also means trusting that God Himself sustains the mission He entrusts to us. The prophecy of Isaiah assures us – “I have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand … a light for the nations” (Is 42:6). This promise reminds us that we do not rely on our own strength alone. God accompanies us, strengthens us, and brings His work to fulfillment. When we faithfully listen to His voice and respond with obedience, our lives become instruments of His justice and channels of His saving light.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for revealing Your beloved Son at the Jordan and for calling us, through our baptism, to share in His mission. Grant us hearts that listen attentively to Your voice calling us to justice and righteousness. Lead us by Your Spirit to live in faithful obedience, so that our lives and our community may reflect the light of Christ. Hold us by the hand, O Lord, and make us instruments of Your peace and justice in the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reflection Guide Questions

1. In what concrete ways is the Father calling me to listen more deeply and respond more faithfully to His call for justice and righteousness in my daily life?

2. How can our community more intentionally reflect the light of Christ through our shared commitment to justice, service, and righteous living?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:

January 11, 2025 (Sun) – Is 42:1-4, 6-7/ Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10/ Acts 10:34-38/ Mt 3:13-17

January 12, 2025 (Mon) – 1 Sm 1:1-8/ Ps 116:12, 13, 14-17, 18, 19/ Mk 1:14-20

January 13, 2025 (Tue) – 1 Sm 1:9-20/ 1 Sm 2:1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8/ Mk 1:21-28

January 14, 2025 (Wed) – 1 Sm 3:1-10, 19, 20/ Ps 40:2, 5, 7,10/ Mk 1:29-39

January 15, 2025 (Thu) – 1 Sm 4:1-11/ Ps 44:10, 11, 14, 15, 24, 25/ Mk 1:40-45

January 16, 2025 (Fri) – 1 Sm 8:4-7, 10-22/ Ps 89:16-17, 18, 19/ Mk 2:1-12

January 17, 2025 (Sat) – 1 Sm 9:1-4, 17-19, 10:1/ Ps 21:2-7/ Mk 2:13-17

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”

Council of Servant Leaders

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alfred S. Kudemus

CSL Secretariat

BLD Catholic Charismatic Covenant Community

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16