Being True to Who We Are and our Calling

Homily: Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (B)

Mark 1:7-11 
10 January 2021

Fr. Ricky C. Montanez

I recently chanced on a friend’s social media posts and I was in awe at how slim and flawless she looked on her Instagram and Facebook photos! When I complimented her on her age-defying looks, she “PM-ed” me and revealed that she had been using an automatic photo retouching feature on her smart phone that alters face and body proportions to achieve a slimmer, younger and radiant image. I couldn’t help but laugh because she had me totally fooled! At the same time, I felt a tinge of sadness that she had fallen into that social media trap. 

I somehow miss the simpler days before the popularity of social media and a fascination for selfies and all these face and body filter apps.  Life was less complicated when we didn’t have to worry about proving anything to strangers on social media, some of whom have really nothing nice to say and who make a habit of putting people down by bullying and harshly criticizing. We struggle with contriving falsified images of ourselves and our circumstances in our desire to create a perfect life that others will admire and envy. We are so obsessed with perfection even if nothing can be farthest from reality.  Life, after all, can be messy and difficult. We can’t endeavour to keep up a perfect image 24/7. Isn’t it too taxing to put that much pressure on ourselves?  I’m sure all of you can give examples of netizens who like to angle and contort themselves into all these poses to hide flaws and appear skinny or long-legged or curvier in the right places. These photos can encourage a skewed perception of body image and make normal girls feel dissatisfied with their appearance. What about those who like to post photos of their travels or eating at all these fun places? Do you think their lives are always exciting and that they never have problems in life?  What about the so called “influencers” who are pressured to always be first to present something new and interesting that will go viral, even at the cost of being sincere and responsible? The truth is, no one is perfect and no one can always be at their best. 

It’s scary when even the persons closest to us do not know us anymore or when we start to believe our own lies of this altered reality that we create.  In a World Youth Day message, Pope Francis called on the youth “to resist the false image of reality portrayed by social media and reality TV and take charge of their own destiny.”  He emphasizes that “To have a past is not the same as to have a history.” He acknowledges that none of us can undo our past. However, we can choose to learn from our mistakes and our suffering, allowing these lessons to form part of our history — moments that contribute to who we are today and teach us to navigate through life in the present.  The Pope even suggested to faithful youngsters that they spend more time with their grandparents, who have lived most of their lives independently of social media pressures, in the hope that their love, concern and the wisdom of their experience will provide them with a foundation of values and a proper guide through the intricacies of life. 

As long as we are alive, we expect to learn continuously and inevitably make mistakes. We cannot discount the importance of having someone in our corner to guide us and affirm our actions. The virtue of humility teaches us that we cannot know everything at once and that we must accept that others have lived and survived certain moments ahead of us, and are better equipped to help us figure life out. We all need people who care about us enough to correct us, guide us, and affirm us — whether it be a parent, a grandparent, an older sibling or relative, or an authority like a teacher or superior at work.  In Mark’s account of the Baptism of Jesus we are given a glimpse of the depth of Jesus’ relationship with His Father. At His baptism, Jesus hears for Himself an affirmation of His identity as God’s Beloved Son, and the pleasure that His Father takes in Him. “And a voice from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11) This is even foretold in the passage from Isaiah where the prophet speaks of God’s Chosen One, a Saviour pleasing to the Lord, who in His meekness guides the people and brings justice. (Isaiah 42:1) The timing of the Father’s loving estimation towards Jesus is perfect because He begins His public ministry after His baptism.  The Father’s message encourages Jesus to accomplish the mission God entrusted to Him and to endure the opposition and rejection He was to face from His adversaries. 

As a teacher I am convinced that everyone needs affirmation, children most especially. We all benefit from being reminded that goodness exists within us, that we are special because we are unique, and that we all have the potential to be exceptional. Our children need to be shown how valuable they are in the eyes of their parents and in the eyes of God.  Don’t we all, at some level, no matter what age we are, still try to be “pleasing” in the eyes of our parents? Isn’t it reassuring to hear from our parents when they take pride in us; or how happy we have made them?  These words not only elicit joy, but also the needed affirmation that sustains every child through the ups and downs of his/her life.  Without affirmation, a child can become distant and insecure. If no one cares enough to give gentle correction, they could grow up thinking what is wrong is right. If no one acknowledges the good in what they say or do, these young impressionable minds can be led to believe that they are never good enough. How easy it would be for them to look at themselves as inferior to others who present themselves with confidence as prettier, smarter, wealthier, more fashionable, or more popular. Sometimes, children even carry these issues with them long into their adulthood.  To go a step further, persons who cannot see the good within themselves will most likely have a hard time seeing the good in others as well. We must always appeal to the beauty of our identity as beloved children of God. All children of God are beautiful, unique, good, and worthy of love.  When we forget this ourselves, or make people feel otherwise, we run the risk of prompting feelings of discontent and unhappiness with who we are. After teaching for eight years, I am completely convinced that it is imperative for all educators to help their students to see the image of God within them and to encourage them to use the God-given potential in each one of them to serve others. 

Through today’s celebration of the Baptism of Jesus culminating the Christmas Season, we are reminded that the identity and the affirmation which Jesus has received from the Father is the same identity and affirmation which we can claim for ourselves by virtue of our Baptism.  We have become beloved daughters and sons of God through Baptism! Through it, we also share in the mission of Jesus. We too, are called to be the anointed of God, serving others quietly and kindly, accomplishing for Him the task He has for each one of us    — tasks vital in establishing His Kingdom here on earth. May the Father be “well pleased” with us as we strive to be true to who we are and to what we are all called to be — God’s beloved children.

Illustration by Blair Paulus C. Nuyda, AA