Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 01-08-18, FEAST, The Baptism of the Lord

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 01-08-17 | Revised New American Bible

[Salvation]

Daily Gospel Commentary

Baptism of the Lord - Feast

Commentary of the day
Saint Jerome (347-420), priest, translator of the Bible, Doctor of the Church
Homilies on Saint Mark’s gospel 1C, SC 494

The baptism of Jesus

“And he was baptized in the Jordan by John.” How great is his mercy: he who was sinless was baptized as a sinner! In the baptism of the Lord all sins are forgiven. However it is only a kind of prefiguration of the Savior’s baptism since the real remission of sins is in the blood of Christ, in the mystery of the Trinity.

“And on coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open.” This is all written for our sakes. For before receiving baptism our eyes are closed and we do not see heavenly realities.

“He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” We witness the mystery of the Trinity: Jesus is baptized; the Holy Spirit descends under the appearance of a dove; the Father speaks from the heights of heaven.

“He saw the heavens torn open.” The expression “he saw” indicates that the others had not seen. Let no one go so far as to imagine the skies as being simply and materially open: we ourselves, standing now in this place, according to the diversity of our worthiness, see the heavens either open or shut. Complete faith sees the heavens open but a faith that doubts sees them shut.

“He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him.” (Jn 1 32) Take note of what Scripture is saying: “remain” means not to go away. The Holy Spirit has come down and remained on Christ, whereas on us he comes down but does not remain. Indeed, do we expect the Holy Spirit to remain on us when we hate our brother or have evil thoughts? So if we have good thoughts we should know that the Holy Spirit dwells in us, but if we have evil ones then it is the sign that the Holy Spirit has withdrawn from us. This is why it is said concerning the Savior: “On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one.” (Jn 1:33)

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“Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother.”

-St. Padre Pio

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The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:  And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.  Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.  Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.  Hail Mary . . .  And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.  Hail Mary . . .  Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.  Let us pray:  Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.  "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28)   "Blessed are you among women,  and blessed is the fruit of your womb" (Lk 1:42).

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Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 1
7.	And he preached, saying: There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.	Et prædicabat dicens : Venit fortior post me, cujus non sum dignus procumbens solvere corrigiam calceamentorum ejus.	και εκηρυσσεν λεγων ερχεται ο ισχυροτερος μου οπισω μου ου ουκ ειμι ικανος κυψας λυσαι τον ιμαντα των υποδηματων αυτου
8.	I have baptized you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.	Ego baptizavi vos aqua, ille vero baptizabit vos Spiritu Sancto.	εγω μεν εβαπτισα υμας εν υδατι αυτος δε βαπτισει υμας εν πνευματι αγιω
9.	And it came to pass, in those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.	Et factum est : in diebus illis venit Jesus a Nazareth Galilææ : et baptizatus est a Joanne in Jordane.	και εγενετο εν εκειναις ταις ημεραις ηλθεν ιησους απο ναζαρετ της γαλιλαιας και εβαπτισθη υπο ιωαννου εις τον ιορδανην
10.	And forthwith coming up out of he water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit as a dove descending, and remaining on him.	Et statim ascendens de aqua, vidit cælos apertos, et Spiritum tamquam columbam descendentem, et manentem in ipso.	και ευθεως αναβαινων απο του υδατος ειδεν σχιζομενους τους ουρανους και το πνευμα ωσει περιστεραν καταβαινον επ αυτον
11.	And there came a voice from heaven: Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.	Et vox facta est de cælis : Tu es Filius meus dilectus, in te complacui.	και φωνη εγενετο εκ των ουρανων συ ει ο υιος μου ο αγαπητος εν ω ευδοκησα

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7. And preached, saying, There comes one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
8. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

GLOSS. He said this to do away with the opinion of the crowd, which throughout that he was the Christ; but he announces that Christ is mightier than he, who was to remit sins, which he himself could not do.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Who again is mightier than the grace, by which sins are washed away which John signifies? He who seven times and seventy times seven remits sun. Grace indeed comes first, but remits sins once only by baptism, but mercy reaches to the wretched from Adam up to Christ through seventy-seven generations, and up to one hundred and forty-four thousand.

PSEUD-CHRYS. But lest he should be thought to say this by way of comparing himself to Christ, he subjoins, Of whom I am not worthy, &c. It is not however the same thing to loose the shoe-latchet, which Mark here says, and to carry his shoes, which Matthew says. And indeed the Evangelists following the order of the narrative, and not able to err in any thing, say that John spoke each of these sayings in a different sense. But commentators on this passage have expounded each in a different way. For he means by the latchet, the tie of the shoe. He says this therefore to extol time excellence of the power of Christ, and the greatness of His divinity; as if he said, Not even in the station of his servant aunt am I worthy to be reckoned. For it is a great thing to contemplate, as it were stooping down, those things which belong to the body of Christ, and to see from below tine image of things above, and to untie each of those mysteries, about the incarnation of Christ, which cannot be unraveled.

PSEUDO-JEROME; The shoe is in the extremity of the body; for in the end the Incarnate Savior is coming for justice, violence it is said by the prophet, Over Edom will I cast out my shoe.

GREGORY; Shoes also are made from the skins of dead animals. The Lord, therefore, coming incarnate, appeared as it were with shoes on His feet, for he assumed in His divinity the dead skins of our corruption. Or else; it was a custom among the ancients, that if a man refused to take as his wife the woman whom he ought to take, he who offered himself as her husband by right of kindred took off that man's shoe. Rightly then does he proclaim himself unworthy to loose his shoe-latchet, as if he said openly, I cannot make bare the feet of the Redeemer, for I usurp not the name of the Bridegroom, a thing which is above my deserts.

THEOPH. Some persons also understand it thus; all who came to John, and were baptized, through penitence were loosed from the bands of their sins by believing in Christ. John then in this way loosed the shoe-latchet of all the others, that is, the bands of sin. But Christ's shoe-hatchet he was not able to unloose, because be found no sin in Him.

BEDE; Thus then John proclaims the Lord not yet as God, or the Son of God, but only as a man mightier than himself. For his ignorant hearers were not yet capable of receiving the hidden things of so great a Sacrament, that the eternal Son of God, having taken upon Him the nature of man, bad been lately born into the world of a virgin; but gradually by the acknowledgment of His glorified lowliness, they were to be introduced to the belief of His Divine Eternity. To these words, however, he subjoins, as if covertly declaring that he was the true God, I baptize you with water, but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. For who can doubt, that none other but God can give the grace of the Holy Ghost.

JEROME; For what is the difference between water and the Holy Ghost, who was borne over the face of the waters? Water is the ministry of man; but the Spirit is ministered by God.

BEDE; Now we are baptized by the Lord in the Holy Ghost, not only when in the day of our baptism, we are washed in the fount of life, to the remission of our sins, but also daily by the grace of the same Spirit we are inflamed, to do those things which please God.

9. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
10. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
11. And there came a voice from heaven, saying, You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Mark the Evangelist, like a hart, longing after the fountains of water, leaps forward over places, smooth and steep; and, as a bee laden with honey, he sips the tops of the flowers. Wherefore he has shown us in his narrative Jesus coming from Nazareth, saying, And it came to pass in those days, &c.

PSEUD-CHRYS. Forasmuch as he was ordaining a new baptism, He came to the baptism of John, which, in respect of His own baptism, was incomplete, but different from the Jewish baptism, as being between both. He did this that He might show, by the nature of His baptism, that He was not baptized for the remission of sins, nor as wanting the reception of the Holy Ghost: for the baptism of John was destitute of both these. But He was baptized that He might be made known to all, that they might believe on Him and fulfill all righteousness, which is keeping of the commandments: for it had been commanded to men that they should submit to the prophet's baptism.

BEDE; He was baptized, that by being baptized Himself He might show His approval of John's baptism, and that by sanctifying the waters of Jordan through time descent of the dove, He might show the coming of time Holy Ghost in the laver of believers; whence there follows, And straight away coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit like a dove descending and resting upon him But the heavens are opened, not by the closing of the elements, but the eyes of the spirit to which Ezekiel in the beginning of his book relates that they are opened, or this His seeing the heavens opened after baptism was done for our sakes, to whom the door of the kingdom of heaven is opened by the laver of regeneration.

PSEUD-CHRYS. Or else, that from heaven sanctification might be given to men, and earthly things he joined to heavenly. But the Holy Spirit is said to have descended upon Him, not as if He then first came to Him, for He never had left Him; but that He might show forth the Christ, Who was preached by John, and point Him to all as it were by the finger of faith.

BEDE; This is event also, in which the Holy Ghost was seen to come down upon baptism, was a sign of spiritual grace to be given to us in baptism.

PSEUDO-JEROME; But this is the anointing of Christ according to the flesh, namely, the Holy Ghost, of which anointing it is said, God, even your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

BEDE; Well indeed in the shape of a dove did the Holy Ghost come down, for it is an animal of great simplicity, and far removed from the malice of gall, that in a figure He might show us that He looks out for simple hearts, and deigns not to dwell in the minds of the wicked.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Again, the Holy Ghost came down in the shape of a dove, because in the Canticles it is sung of the Church: My bride, my love, my beloved, my dove. Bride in the Patriarchs, love in the Prophets, near of kin in Joseph and Mary, beloved in John the Baptist, dove in Christ and His Apostles: to whom it is said, Be you wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

BEDE; Now the Dove sat on the head of Jesus, lest any one should think that the voice of the Father was addressed to John and not to Christ. And well did he add, abiding on Him; for this is peculiar to Christ, that the Holy Ghost once filling Him should never leave Him. For sometimes to His faithful disciples the grace of the Spirit is conferred for signs of virtue, and for the working of miracles, sometimes it is taken away; though for the working of piety and righteousness, for the preservation of love to God and to one's neighbor, the grace of the Spirit is never absent. But the voice of the Father showed, that he himself, who came to John to be baptized with the others, was the very Son of God, willing to baptize with the Holy Spirit, whence there follows, And there came a voice from heaven, You are my beloved Son, in you I am well pleased. Not that this informed the Son Himself of a thing of which he was ignorant, but it shows to us what we ought to believe.

AUG. Wherefore Matthew relates what the voice said, This is my beloved Son; for he wished to show that the words, This is My Son, were in fact said, that thus the persons who heard it might know that he, and not another, was the Son of God. But, if you ask, which of these two sounded forth in that voice, take which you will, only remember, that the Evangelists, though not relating the same form of speaking, relate the same meaning. And that God delighted Himself in His Son, we are reminded in these words, In you I am well pleased.

BEDE; The same voice has taught us, that we also, by the water of cleansing, and by the Spirit of sanctification, may he made the sons of God. The mystery of the Trinity also is shown forth in the baptism; the Son is baptized, the Spirit comes down in the shape of a dove, the voice of the Father bearing witness to the Son is heard.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Morally also it may be interpreted; we also, drawn aside from the fleeting world by the smell and purity of flowers, run with the young maidens after the bridegroom, and are washed in the sacrament of baptism, from the two fountains of the love of God, and of our neighbor, by the grace of remission, and mounting up by hope gaze upon heavenly mysteries with the eyes of a clean heart. Then we receive in a contrite and lowly spirit, with simplicity of heart, the Holy Spirit, who comes down to the meek, and abides in us, by a never-failing charity. And the voice of the Lord from heaven is directed to us the beloved of God; Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God; and then the Father, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, is well-pleased with us, when we are made one spirit with God.

Catena Aurea Mark 1

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The Baptism of the Lord

Late 16c.
Northern Greece

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Scenes from the Life of Christ: Baptism of Christ

Giotto di Bondone

1304-06
Fresco, 200 x 185 cm
Cappella Scrovegni (Arena Chapel), Padua

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Baptism of Christ

Piero della Francesca

1448-50
Egg tempera on poplar panel, 167 x 116 cm
National Gallery, London

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It should be pointed out, however, that like all the “ad extra” actions of God (i.e. actions external to the intimate life of the Blessed Trinity), the sanctification of souls is the work of all three Divine Persons.

Redemption is an "ad extra" action of God but was the act of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity only. That is because Redemption is a human act, and only the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity has a human nature.

[Salvation]

Saint Angela of Foligno

Franciscan Media

Image: Statue of Saint Angela of Foligno (as a Blessed)

Saint Angela of Foligno

Saint of the Day for January 8

(1248 – January 4, 1309)

 

Saint Angela of Foligno’s story

Some saints show marks of holiness very early. Not Angela! Born of a leading family in Foligno, Italy, she became immersed in the quest for wealth and social position. As a wife and mother, she continued this life of distraction.

Around the age of 40, she recognized the emptiness of her life and sought God’s help in the Sacrament of Penance. Her Franciscan confessor helped Angela to seek God’s pardon for her previous life and to dedicate herself to prayer and the works of charity.

Shortly after her conversion, her husband and children died. Selling most of her possessions, she entered the Secular Franciscan Order. She was alternately absorbed by meditating on the crucified Christ and by serving the poor of Foligno as a nurse and beggar for their needs. Other women joined her in a religious community.

At her confessor’s advice, Angela wrote her Book of Visions and Instructions. In it she recalls some of the temptations she suffered after her conversion; she also expresses her thanks to God for the Incarnation of Jesus. This book and her life earned for Angela the title “Teacher of Theologians.” She was beatified in 1693, and canonized in 2013.

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Reflection

People who live in the United States today can understand Saint Angela’s temptation to increase her sense of self-worth by accumulating money, fame or power. Striving to possess more and more, she became more and more self-centered. When she realized she was priceless because she was created and loved by God, she became very penitential and very charitable to the poor. What had seemed foolish early in her life now became very important. The path of self-emptying she followed is the path all holy men and women must follow.

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The Liturgical Feast of Saint Angela of Foligno is January 7.

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Information: St. Apollinaris of Hierapolis

Feast Day: January 8

Died: 175

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Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day

St. Thorfinn

Feast Day: January 08
Born: (around) 1230 :: Died: 1285

The Church found out about St. Thorfinn's life long after he had died. Fifty years later, his tomb was opened by accident during some construction work to renovate the church. Everyone was surprised by the strong, pleasant smell that came out of his coffin.

The abbot started making enquiries about Thorfinn. He found one elderly monk, Walter de Muda, who knew Thorfinn. In fact, Father Walter had been so impressed with Thorfinn's gentle goodness, patience, generosity and firmness against the evil and ungodly, that he had written a poem about him.

Walter had placed the poem with Thorfinn in the tomb. The monks went to look for the poem and found the parchment just as new and fresh as the day it had been put there.

The monks felt this was a sign that God wanted Thorfinn to be remembered and honored. People started praying to him and miracles began to happen around his tomb. Father Walter was asked to write whatever he could remember about Thorfinn.

Thorfinn had come from Norway and was a Cistercian monk at the abbey of Tautra. Later he had probably served at the cathedral as a priest. It seems that Thorfinn had signed an important document while at the cathedral.

He had been a witness to the Agreement of Tonsberg in 1277. This agreement between King Magnus VI and the archbishop set the Church free from state control. But a few years later, King Eric rejected the agreement and turned against the archbishop and those who had supported him.

The archbishop was sent away and so was Thorfinn, who was now bishop of Hamar, Norway. Thorfinn started a hard journey to Flanders. He was even shipwrecked on the trip. Finally, he arrived and went to live at the abbey of TerDoest in Flanders, Belgium.

He made a pilgrimage to Rome, but he returned to the abbey very ill. Before he died on January 8, 1285, Thorfinn divided the few possessions he had among his family members and some charitable groups.

Then in a monastery in Belgium. Reports of St. Thorfinn's holiness and the miracles at his tomb soon spread devotion to him among the Cistercians and Catholics in Hamar, Norway. Today Norwegians still honor St. Thorfinn and celebrate his feast day.

Reflection: Some people live famous and well-known lives; others slip in and out of our lives without much notice. Take the time today to notice someone who usually doesn't attract much attention.

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CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Monday, January 8

Liturgical Color: White

Today the Church honors Bl. Peter Thomas, bishop.
When talks with Orthodox Churches were initiated to
try and mend the Great Schism, Peter was called on by
the Pope to be his representative. Later he traveled to
Cyprus where he died in 1366.

[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

Christmas: January 8th

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

MASS READINGS

January 08, 2018 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

Almighty ever-living God, who, when Christ had been baptized in the River Jordan and as the Holy Spirit descended upon him, solemnly declared him your beloved Son, grant that your children by adoption, reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, may always be well pleasing to you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Recipes (4)

• Initial Cookies
• Kutia
• Letter banket
• Christ’s Diapers

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Activities (9)

• Activities for the Feast of the Baptism of Christ
• Baptismal Day
• Christmas and the Eucharist
• Family and Friends of Jesus Scrapbook Album
• Making a Baptismal Garment and Candle
• On Celebrating Baptism
• Receive the White Garment
• Renewal of Baptismal Promises
• Sacramental Life in the Home: Baptism

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Prayers (7)

• Christmas Table Blessing 1
• Christmas Table Blessing 2
• Christmas Table Blessing 3
• Christmas Table Blessing 4
• Book of Blessings: Blessing Before and After Meals: Christmas Season (2nd Plan)
• To Jordan's Water
• Book of Blessings: Blessing Before and After Meals: Christmas (1st Plan)

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Library (3)

• Baptism Is Not a Formality | Pope Francis
• Baptism Is the Starting Point of a Lifelong Path to Conversion | Pope Francis
• Feast of the Baptism of the Lord | Pope Benedict XVI

Other Titles: Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord. This brings to an end the season of Christmas. The Church recalls Our Lord's second manifestation or epiphany which occurred on the occasion of His baptism in the Jordan. Jesus descended into the River to sanctify its waters and to give them the power to beget sons of God. The event takes on the importance of a second creation in which the entire Trinity intervenes.

In the Eastern Church this feast is called Theophany because at the baptism of Christ in the River Jordan God appeared in three persons. The baptism of John was a sort of sacramental preparatory for the Baptism of Christ. It moved men to sentiments of repentance and induced them to confess their sins. Christ did not need the baptism of John. Although He appeared in the "substance of our flesh" and was recognized "outwardly like unto ourselves," He was absolutely sinless and impeccable. He conferred upon the water the power of the true Baptism which would remove all the sins of the world: "Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him Who takes away the sin of the world."

Many of the incidents which accompanied Christ's baptism are symbolical of what happened at our Baptism. At Christ's baptism the Holy Spirit descended upon Him; at our Baptism the Trinity took its abode in our soul. At His baptism Christ was proclaimed the "Beloved Son" of the Father; at our Baptism we become the adopted sons of God. At Christ's baptism the heavens were opened; at our Baptism heaven was opened to us. At His baptism Jesus prayed; after our Baptism we must pray to avoid actual sin.

— Excerpted from Msgr. Rudolph G. Bandas

Click here for commentary on the readings in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

Customs on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
In the Ukraine the faithful gather in the front of the church where a cross of ice is placed. Since there are no rivers near churches, a tub is filled with water and is placed in front of the ice cross. During special and very unique services the water is blessed and brought home. This is taken in before breakfast is eaten. The remains are kept during the year to keep the home safe from fire, lightening and sickness.

The priest visits his parishioners to bless their homes with the holy water that the New Year may be one of cooperation with the gift of God; His Son and the participation in the Life He has come to lead us in toward Salvation. The evening meal is very much a repeat of the Holy Supper except that there are no restrictions on meat and dairy products. It starts with Kutia, which has been saved from Christmas Eve.

The Sixteenth Day of Christmas

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
The mystery of Christ’s baptism in the Jordan by St John, the Precursor, proposes the contemplation of an already adult Jesus. This mystery is infinitely linked to the Solemnities of the Lord’s birth and the Epiphany that we have just celebrated, as in some ways it takes up and represents their significance to us.

At Christmas we have contemplated the human birth of the Word incarnate by the Virgin Mary. In the 4th century, the Fathers of the Church deepened the understanding of the faith with regard to the Christmas mystery in the light of Jesus’ Humanity. They spoke of the Incarnation of the Word already working like the ‘Christification’ of that humanity that he had assumed from His mother. Or put in simpler terms: Jesus is the Christ from the first instant of conception in Mary’s spotless womb because He Himself, with His Divine Power, consecrated, anointed and ‘Christified’ that human nature with which He became incarnate.

In the mystery of the Epiphany, we then meditated on Christ’s manifestation to all nations that was represented by the Magi, the wise men from the East, who came to adore the Child.

Now, in the mystery of Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan River, we again encounter and represent the truth of the Lord’s incarnation and His manifestation as the Christ. Jesus’ Baptism is in fact His definitive manifestation as the Messiah or Christ to Israel, and as the Son of the Father to the entire world. Here we find the dimension of the Epiphany which was His manifestation to all nations. The Father’s voice from heaven shows that Jesus of Nazareth is the eternal Son and the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove shows the Trinitarian nature of the Christian God. The true and unique God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, shows Himself in Christ, through Him, with Him and in Him.

The Baptism in the Jordan returns to the great Christmas theme of ‘Christification,’ Jesus of Nazareth's spiritual anointing, His presentation as the Anointed One par excellence, the Messiah or the One sent by the Father for the salvation of mankind. The Spirit that descended on Jesus shows and seals in an incontrovertible way the ‘Christification’ of Jesus’ humanity that the Word had already fulfilled from the first moment of His miraculous conception by Mary. Jesus, from the very beginning, was always the Lord’s Christ, He was always God. Yet, His one, true humanity, that which is perfect in every way, as the Gospel records, constantly grew in natural and supernatural perfection. ‘And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and with men’ (Lk2:52). In Israel at 30 years of age, one reached full maturity and therefore could become a master. Jesus came of age and the Spirit, descending and remaining on Him, definitively consecrated His whole being as the Christ.

The same Spirit, that descended on the water of the River Jordan wafted over the waters during the first creation (Gen 1:2). Therefore, the Baptism in the Jordan presents yet another truth: that Jesus has started a new creation. He is the second man (1 Cor 15:47) or the last Adam (1 Cor 15:45), that comes to repair the first Adam’s guilt. He does this as the Lamb of God that takes away our sins. ‘Looking at the events in light of the Cross and Resurrection, the Christian people realised what happened: Jesus loaded the burden of all mankind’s guilt upon His shoulders; he bore it down into the depths of the Jordan. He inaugurated his public activity by stepping into the place of sinners’ (Joseph Ratzinger, Jesus of Nazareth, Bloomsbury 2007, p 18).

Excerpted from the Congregation for the Clergy

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Mark 1:7-11

The Baptism of the Lord (Feast)

You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased. (Mark 1:11)

Unlike most people, who were baptized as infants, Ron remembers well the day he was baptized because he was an adult when it happened. For him, it was far more than a step his parents took for him so that he could become part of the Church. It was the day he received new life. He always tells people what happened to him when the priest poured the holy water over his head. It was like someone had “turned the lights on.” He felt a tangible sense of peace and joy. He knew at that moment that God was with him and that God loves him.

We don’t know what Jesus felt at his baptism. Unlike us, he didn’t need to be purified from sin. But his baptism, like ours, was an anointing from the Father. And we know what the Father thought about him! There are few recorded instances in Scripture when God speaks on his own, without using a prophet, and this is one of them. Jesus was his only divine Son; he couldn’t help but voice his approval and delight in him.

Baptism has many effects. It purifies us from sin, gives us power to live a holy life, and makes us part of Christ’s body. But these aren’t just theological facts that we need to memorize. They tell us about a reality that transforms our very existence. Baptism makes us adopted children of God. We may not hear an audible voice telling us that he is “well pleased” with us, but we can be sure that this is exactly what God says each time someone is baptized (Mark 1:11).

How can we know that for sure? By taking a look at the cross. If God sent Jesus to offer his life for us, then his love for us must be beyond anything we can imagine. His delight in us must be strong, affirming, and joyful.

So when you read the Father’s words to Jesus, know that he speaks them to you too. Today try repeating this to yourself: “I am God’s beloved son or daughter, and he is well pleased with me.” Let that truth sink in deeper today—and thank your heavenly Father for all his love.

“Lord, help me to accept your love for me.”

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10

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Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for January 9, 2018:

Yesterday we celebrated the Baptism of the Lord. Do you know the date of your baptism, and that of your children? Consider celebrating those dates and pray today for further graces of Baptism in your lives.

[Salvation]

Regnum Christi

January 8, 2018 – To Go Up, We Must Lower Ourselves

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Mark 1: 7-11

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Introductory Prayer: My heavenly Father, you made me out of your infinite love. Even though I have failed to love you as a good child should, still you send me gift upon gift. You sent your Son to redeem me and to make me one with you, in and through your Son. You and your only beloved Son sent your Spirit of Love and Truth, the Holy Spirit, to dwell in my heart, mind and body. I wish to open my heart and eyes to all that you have done for me and continue to do for me, and to love you in return, growing in generosity with you, your Church and all of your children.

Petition: Lord, bless me with authentic interior poverty.

1. Humility, the Springboard to Heaven: Christ lowered himself from heaven so we could see him. John said he was not worthy to stoop down and untie the sandals of Jesus. Because he was humble, John recognized who he was and who Jesus was. We, however, tend to raise ourselves above others in our minds and actions. Until we recognize Jesus for who he is, as John did, we will not be able to understand our Lord, who humbled himself and took on our lowly nature so that we might see the dignity of man and the holiness of God – who is humble.

2. The Cleansing Power of Grace: John poured the muddy Jordan water upon Christ’s head. As it dripped down his sacred head and body, something happened to that water: the Spirit of God entered it. No longer would baptism consist merely of water poured over a body; now it would cleanse the soul and fill it with everlasting life. What was muddy is now the instrument of purity. Divinity enters humanity. Christ wants us to open our hearts and minds to him, to his grace, to his life, and to his mission. To do so we must experience our intense need for him, our own spiritual poverty and the unsurpassed wealth of the gifts Our Lord longs to pour into our souls. Am I deeply conscious of my need for God’s grace in my soul? Am I able to turn to him and humbly ask for this?

3. Lord, Strip Me of the Things of this World: The heavens were torn asunder, and the voice of the Father thundered from the sky above. John stood in awe as he watched the Holy Spirit descend upon the Son of Man, the Son of God. He who was not fit to untie the Lord’s sandal baptized him, and his eyes were opened. He saw that holiness is not of this world. The things of this world are of no value before almighty God. Our pride, vanity and disordered sensuality blind us from seeing the beauty of a meek and humble heart. If we are meek and humble of heart, we will hear God say, “You are my beloved child; with you I am well pleased.”

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, you know when I stand and when I fall. Help me to let go of the things of this world, so I will fall more madly in love with you. You are my strength and my hope; may you be my love.

Resolution: Today I will set aside an extra 10 to 15 minutes to pray with you, Lord Jesus, to speak to you heart-to-heart.

[Salvation]

Homily of the Day

January 8, 2018

The Baptism of the Lord is significant for us for many reasons.

Foremost is the reminder of the profound reality that our baptism makes us all children of God, thereby making us all adopted brothers and sisters of Jesus, the Beloved and only Begotten Son of God, which allows us to call his Father our Father.

Can we then say that the Father is well pleased with us in the same manner that he is pleased with his Son Jesus? Do we have a deep desire to imitate Jesus in his intimacy with his Father? In baptism one receives new life in Christ. In baptism one becomes a real participant in the Paschal Mystery of Christ, in his passion, death and resurrection. Do we see our lives as lives of true followers of Christ?

Second, baptism is our initiation into the Catholic Christian community founded by Christ.. Through baptism we begin to belong to a faith tradition that professes Christ as our Brother and Savior. In this regard, the purpose and meaning of our lives become our fidelity to Jesus who is represented in the least of his brethren. How Christ-like have we been in our relations with our Christian community? How much compassion and concern do we show the neglected, the needy and outcasts of society?

Finally, baptism inherently includes a call to mission. It is not enough that we are children of God and that we belong to the Christian community. What matters is how much such realities translate into action in our daily lives.

We are sent forth to proclaim the reign of God in our midst. This is real and effective when done in deed rather than in mere word. We are not self­ proclaimed messiahs: rather we are called by Christ himself to participate in the salvific work and mission of Jesus.

The sinless Jesus humbled himself in being baptized by John in the Jordan like his fellows. His mission and life are encouraged and recognized in the blessing of the Father and the Holy Spirit: “You are my Son, the Beloved, the One I have chosen.” (Mk 1: 11)

The Father uttered his joy and approval of his Son in whom he was well pleased. This surely gives Jesus confidence knowing his Father’s recognition and blessing.

This is equally true for us. We do our work better and more joyfully when we know we are trusted. We feel encouraged with the trust given us. In baptism God accepts us and missions us with his love and grace to proclaim his love, mercy and justice.

[Salvation]

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Baptism of Jesus

Isaiah 55:1-11
1 John 5:1-9
View Readings

Isaiah 12:2-6
Mark 1:7-11
Similar Reflections

HE CAME TO THE WATER (IS 55:1)

"Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John." �Mark 1:9

At the Jordan River, St. John the Baptist baptized thousands of people with a baptism of repentance. Repentance, or metanoia, was an 180-degree turn from sin. So what happened to those sins that those people left behind? Symbolically, the repented sins remained there, in the waters of the Jordan, after the people rose out of the water.

Along comes Jesus, Who had no need of Baptism. He had no sins to wash into the water. Some Scripture scholars have pondered Jesus' action there in the River Jordan, and the deep relationship between Jesus and His cousin, John. Despite John's protests, Jesus told John to go ahead and baptize Him for the sake of righteousness (Mt 3:15).

What John didn't understand beforehand, but may have grasped afterwards, was that Jesus took upon Himself at His Baptism in that same Jordan river all the sins that had been "left behind" in the water. Jesus is present in the waters of Baptism. When we are baptized, Jesus has already entered that water to take all our sins upon His shoulders, to pay the price for all sins, including ours, on the cross.

Prayer: "God indeed is my Savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the Lord" (Is 12:2).

Promise: "All you who are thirsty, come to the water!" —Is 55:1

Praise: Praise Jesus, the Father's beloved Son in Whom He is well pleased! (Mt 3:17)

[Salvation]