The Baptism of the Lord

Today's Solemnity brings the Christmas Cycle to a conclusion, a rousing one at that.  Father, Son and Holy Spirit initiate Jesus on his earthly mission.  This is why he came, was born of our flesh, and experienced all that we humans do, save sin. When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.  And as he was ppraying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice came fom heaven:  "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well-pleased."  (Lk 3: 21-22).  Imagine being on the banks of the Jordan to witness this.  Imagine being Jesus!  Not as dramatic as this scence, yet we were baptized and something similar happened to us:  God the Father claimed us as one of his children, giving us his Holy Spirit, and assuring us of his love and pleasure.  Yes, how truly adorable infants are at their baptism, who could not love them and cuddle them?  Years later, we come to a deeper understanding of this major event, as important as our physical birth, since we are reborn in the Spirit and the divine life dwells within us.  As Jesus was sent, we realized as adults, so are we.  To let the Spirit lead us "where he will" and to bring the good news of our salvation to others become our tasks they were for Jesus.  What would our lives look like, our families, our parishes if we all "lived by the Spirit"?  St. Paul tells us:  Do not extinguish the Spirit. (1 Thess. 3:19).  Theologian Jose Pagola elaborates:  "A church with the Spirit extinguished, empty of the Spirit of Christ, cannot live or communicate its true newness.  It can neither savor nor spread the Good News.  To develop a Christian spirituality is to revive our religion."  --Following in the Footsteps of
Jesus. p. 45. As we put away the creche and other Christmas decorations, may we ask the Spirit to stay with us and guide us on our mission.
Bro. Rene

Jesus