Dominican Friars
Province of St. Albert the Great, USA

Know Before You Go

The Baptism of the Lord: Meaning, Scripture & Mission

Know Before You Go

In this episode, Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP explains the transition from the Christmas season into Ordinary Time—or more accurately, "Ordinal Time," where we begin to order our days and count the weeks of our faith journey.

Father Scott connects the dots between today’s powerful scripture readings. He explores the Second Reading from the Book of Acts, where Peter realizes God’s message is for all nations, not just the Jewish people. This connects deeply to the Prophet Isaiah’s description of the "Servant" who brings justice without violence, and ultimately to the Gospel account of Jesus’ baptism.

Why was a sinless Jesus baptized by John? What does the voice from Heaven tell us about Jesus' identity? And most importantly, what does this mean for us as we try to carry on His mission today? Watch to find out how these readings fit together to reveal the universal scope of God’s love.

Key Takeaways:
  Understanding "Ordinal Time" vs. "Ordinary Time."
  The theological significance of Jesus’ baptism.
  How the "Servant Song" of Isaiah predicts Jesus' non-violent ministry.
  Peter’s realization that salvation is for all nations (Gentiles included).

📖 Timeline:
  00:00 - Introduction & The End of the Christmas Season
  00:29 - What is "Ordinary" vs. "Ordinal" Time?
  01:30 - The Baptism of the Lord: Beginning the Ministry
  02:11 - The Second Reading (Acts): Peter & Cornelius
  03:33 - Connecting Acts to the Gospel: Jesus' Baptism
  04:14 - Why was a sinless Jesus baptized?
  05:03 - The First Reading (Isaiah): The Suffering Servant
  06:06 - Connecting Isaiah to Jesus’ Mission
  07:08 - Our Mission for the Liturgical Year

#BaptismOfTheLord #Catholic #SundayHomily #FrScottSteinkerchner #OrdinaryTime #ScriptureReflection #BibleStudy #Christianity #Isaiah #Gospel #LiturgicalYear #CatholicFeastDay

Dominican recording video

Know Before You Go is a ministry of the provincial office to help people prepare to hear the readings and preaching of the approaching Sunday's Mass. We welcome any feedback you have at know@opcentral.org . You can see them all below, or you can see other preaching by a particular person by clicking on his name.

Sign up

You can receive an email each morning with the daily Word of Hope and Know Before You Go once a week:

* indicates required

Email Format

  •

    Pentecost Sunday

    Fr. Luke Barder, OP breaks open the readings for Pentecost, the birth of the Church, reminding us that God is still working on building up his house and furnishing it will every good thing.
  •

    Sixth Sunday of Easter

    Fr. Don Goergen, OP, opens up the readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, exploring what is means that God is Love and we are to love one another just as Jesus has loved us.
  •

    Fifth Sunday of Easter

    Fr. Brian Walker, OP breaks open the readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, reminding us that, because Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, we are all connected and in this together.
  •

    Third Sunday of Easter

    Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP breaks open the readings for the Third Sunday of Easter, challenging us to mirror the mercy of God in our own lives, thus calling all people to faith in Jesus Christ.
  •

    Divine Mercy Sunday

    Fr. James Marchionda, OP breaks open the Gospel for Divine Mercy Sunday, relating how in the story of Doubting Thomas we see Jesus reaching out, doing what it takes to help Thomas believe.
  •

    Easter Sunday

    Fr. James Marchionda, OP breaks open the readings for Easter Sunday, reminding us that as impressive a job the Apostles had to follow in Jesus' footsteps, this is our task now—and God judges us ready for it!
  •

    Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

    Fr. Don Goergen, OP opens up the readings for Palm Sunday, taking us from the joy of the triumphant entry into Jerusalem to the sorrow of the crucifixion, reminding us that all of life is joy and sorrow combined.
  •

    Fourth Sunday of Lent

    Fr. Brian Walker, OP opens up the scriptures for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, reminding us that God sent his only son to save each of us, and we can trust that when the going gets tough.
  •

    Third Sunday of Lent

    Fr. James Marchionda, OP, Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great, breaks open the story of Jesus's expelling the moneychangers from the Temple to let us see the radical change God is asking of us this Lent.
  •

    Second Sunday of Lent

    Fr. Don Goergen, OP illuminates the readings for the Second Sunday of Lent, challenging us to open up to questions raised by them and by our faith journeys.
  •

    First Sunday of Lent

    Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP, the Promoter of Media for the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great breaks open the readings for this Sunday, reminding us of the purpose of our Lenten practices.
  •

    Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, OP breaks open the Sunday readings for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, drawing a parallel between the pandemic and the plight of lepers in biblical times, challenging us to be, like Jesus, on the side of the lepers and victims.
  •

    Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

    Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP unpacks the readings for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, reminding us as we begin the liturgical year that we must remain open to learning more about God each day, forever building and deepening our faith.
  •

    The Baptism of the Lord

    Fr. Brian Walker, OP, opens up the readings for the Baptism of the Lord, reminding us that we were made in the image of God, and so, like Jesus, are beloved by God.
  •

    The Epiphany of the Lord

    Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP opens up the readings for this solemnity, reminding us that it is not enough to believe, it is what we do with that belief that matters.
  •

    Fourth Sunday of Advent

    Fr. Don Goergen, OP breaks open the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, encouraging us to be open and receptive to the grace of God working through us and transforming us.
  •

    Third Sunday of Advent

    Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP, Promoter of Media for the Province of St. Albert the Great, opens up the readings for the Third Sunday of Advent, calling us to make straight the way of the Lord within ourselves to renew our hope in a better world.
Subscribe to Know Before You Go