Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck
A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 3:13-17 – The Baptism of the Lord
Dear friends in Christ,
Today, I want to share with you the story of Daniel, a man from our own parish—a story that quietly echoes inside each of us as we wonder how we might help build the Kingdom of heaven around us. And the truth is, it’s often easier than our doubts let us believe.
Since he was young, Daniel sensed God calling him to something more at every Sunday Mass, but he always kept his faith private, convinced he wasn’t holy or knowledgeable enough. Years passed until his parish’s faith formation director retired and Daniel’s pastor asked if he’d consider taking on the role. Daniel almost laughed it off, doubting his worthiness. But the priest smiled and told him, “Sometimes that’s exactly what we need.”
Daniel wrestled with the invitation, thinking of the Gospel story we hear today—Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan. Even John felt unworthy, but Jesus stepped forward, not for His own sake, but to do the Father’s will. Daniel saw that he, too, could spend his life waiting to feel ready, or he could trust that God’s grace would meet him if he stepped forward in faith. He said yes.
Leading faith formation was humbling. Daniel listened to others’ doubts, faced his own, and sometimes felt lost. But as he taught, he learned. As he encouraged others to see God’s presence, he began to notice it more in his own life—in a child’s first Communion, a parent’s nervous smile, even in quiet moments of prayer. Daniel’s favorite part became watching others grow in faith, passing on what he’d learned about God’s love. He wasn’t perfect, but he was willing. Like Jesus at the Jordan, Daniel discovered that living God’s will meant showing up, trusting, and teaching others to love—one person at a time. In those moments, he echoed God’s words: “With you, I am well pleased.”
The Baptism of Jesus: A Revelation of God’s Love and a Call to See, Follow, and Teach Like Christ
Today’s Gospel, Matthew 3:13-17, recounts the Baptism of our Lord—one of the great Epiphany moments. We see Jesus, sinless, submitting to baptism, not because He needed repentance, but because it was the Father’s will. After His baptism, the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and God’s voice declares, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” This is a moment of revelation—God publicly affirms Jesus’ identity and mission.
This baptism is more than a one-time event. It helps us live in the real presence of Jesus through our love for God and for each other. This Gospel calls us to see God’s voice and presence in our lives, to follow with obedience and humility, and to teach others the path to real love, with Christ as our model and closest friend.
When we “see,” we recognize God not just in the dramatic, but in the everyday. When we “follow,” we imitate Jesus’ willingness to embrace God’s plan, even when it’s humbling or hard. And when we “teach,” we show others what real love looks like through our actions, becoming witnesses to God’s love in the world.
C.S. Lewis once wrote, “The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time.” Our mission isn’t just personal faith, but inviting others into Christ’s life—just as Jesus did, and as we are called to do by seeing, following, and helping others along the way.
Living and Sharing Our Faith: Trusting the Holy Spirit and Bearing Fruit in Christ
How do we do this? By living our faith authentically, serving with love, and listening with compassion, just as Jesus did. By letting the Holy Spirit guide us, giving us the wisdom and courage to lead others closer to Christ. And by sharing our struggles and faith journeys, we encourage others to explore a relationship with God. Like Daniel, when we say yes to God’s call, trusting the Holy Spirit to strengthen us, we show others the way—one step, one person at a time.
The fruits of this are real. Inviting others to live like Christ leads to deeper faith, transformed hearts, and stronger communities rooted in love and support. As people experience God’s love through us, qualities like joy, peace, and kindness begin to flourish, drawing more people to Christ and making God’s presence visible in the world.
Let us give thanks and praise for God’s love, made visible through Jesus’ Baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit, our Teacher, Mentor, and Savior. May we continue Christ’s ministry in our own lives—seeing, following, and teaching others to love like Jesus, so that God’s voice might one day say to us, too, “With you, I am well pleased.”
Amen.
About Our Guest Blogger
Saint Carlo Acutis once said, “Not me, but God.” His words echo deeply in my own spiritual life. This blog is not about me, but about the work of the Holy Spirit. I choose to remain anonymous because the voice behind these reflections isn’t what matters — the One speaking through them is.
I am a lifelong Catholic with a deep love for Scripture, the sacraments, and the quiet ways God speaks through everyday life. Live the Eucharist was born from my desire to share how the Gospel and the Eucharist shape not just my Sundays, but every step of the journey.
My hope is that these reflections bless you, challenge you, and draw you closer to Jesus — truly present in the Eucharist and profoundly present in your daily life.
