JUST LOVED!

HOMILY: Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (A)

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7, Acts 10:34-38 and Matthew 3:13-17.

11 January 2026

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

Let me begin with a simple yet difficult question: “When was the last time you felt truly loved for who you are — not because you were a big help, nor because you accomplished a feat, nor because you were useful?” — But simply because you are loved!

Many of us struggle to answer that — because from an early age, we have received more love and attention when we have done something praiseworthy, helpful or exceptional such as getting good grades or doing a great job. And slowly, we begin to believe that love equals approval and applause. Without realizing it, we start thinking: “If I stop doing or performing, I stop mattering.” This translates into all our relationships — even into our relationship with God.

Today’s Gospel is so powerful because it is a massive wake-up call. It shows us why it just is not true that we have to be productive or worthwhile to be loved.  We hear that Jesus goes to John to be baptised in the Jordan River.  He has not yet preached, healed anybody, or performed any miracles publicly but at that moment, heaven opens.  The voice of the Father says: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) Jesus receives a very public affirmation simply because of who He is. Jesus is loved before He can fulfill the Father’s will!  

Let us also take note that Jesus does not stand apart. He does not claim a special place.  He waits for His turn, stepping in line — with sinners, with the broken, with people trying to begin again.  God does not look for a pedestal to look down on us; He looks for a place in the line to stand beside us. Heaven does not just open for the powerful; it opens in the ordinary river of our daily lives, shared with the people around us. This echoes the First Reading from Isaiah: “A bruised reed he shall not break.” (Isaiah 42:3) God is gentle with His people, especially with those the world sees as fragile or weak. He does not demand more from those who are already weary. Instead, He draws near, delighting in their presence and loving them as they are — because He is our Father, and we are His children.

Life today can be exhausting. It is so easy to feel tired today — not just tired in the body, but also tired in the soul. Young and old alike feel the weight of responsibility, the pressure of having to live up to standards, and the anxiety of waiting for acceptance and belonging. Many of us are tired of being strong, tired of being needed and tired of feeling guilty when we can no longer do as much as before. I know of elderly people or persons with disabilities who feel unloved because they have become weak and dependent. They believe they are no longer as productive or useful, thinking: “Wala na akong silbi.”  (I am useless!”) Let us stop listening to this voice in our head. This is definitely not God’s voice. God did not say, “This is my Son because he is productive.”  Rather, God says, “This is my beloved Son.”  God loves Jesus because He is His Son. God loves you and me because we are His children.

Sometimes, we act as though we can earn God’s love.  We treat God like a boss. Church workers and those who serve the church can be guilty of this. We work as though God were keeping tabs on us, keeping a checklist of duties and we panic when we fall behind.  The truth is this:  God loved us long before we ever served Him. He loved us as children before we could even speak. He loved us as young persons, making mistakes while learning our identity and discovering our talents and capabilities. The Acts of the Apostles tell us that Jesus was anointed by the Spirit — and then He went about doing good.  (Acts 10:38) Love came first.  Mission followed. Baptism, brothers and sisters, is not an assignment; it is our identity.  Before we are sent, we are embraced. Before we are called to do good, we are called beloved.

Today, as we remember the Baptism of the Lord, let us remember our own baptism when we officially became part of God’s family. God does not look at us and ask, “What can you do for me?”  God looks at you and me and says: “You are my beloved.” It is this love — and only this love — that fuels our mission. We do not do good to earn God’s favour; we do good because we are already loved by God. Driven by this love, we go forth to transform the world.

Baptism of Christ by Olga Bakhtina