Baptism

Shine Your Light

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During these days in the middle of winter, when the nights are long and sunshine can be scarce, we realize the value of the sun. It brightens our day and our mood. It gives life, warmth, and light. The light of Christ can do the same. With the light of Christ, we can bring light to the darkness in our world: injustice, violence, conflict, fear, poverty, and countless other shadows. Let us resolve to let the light of Christ shine forth wherever we go and whatever we do. 

Before creating any living thing, God created light to shine forth over all. But in our world, much is hidden in the shadows, intentionally or unintentionally. In baptism, we were given a candle, lit from the Easter candle with the light of Christ. We are called to shine that light into the shadows of our world,  
 
What darkness can you fill with the light of Christ that was entrusted to you at baptism? How can your light overcome these examples of darkness?

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

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The pictures of Christ’s baptism in the River Jordan are many. From paintings to stained glass windows, Jesus and his cousin, John the Baptist, in the Jordan River with the Holy Spirit overhead as a dove. As Catholics, we enjoy the fine work of the talented artists, but it does not begin to fully take the complexity and meaning of Christ’s baptism and what it truly means for us.
 
The word “baptize” means to plunge or immerse, and baptism is the first and probably the most important sacrament of the Church. It is through baptism that we are brought into the Church. We are baptized into the Body of Christ, His church,It is God’s most precious gift to us, and it shows our release from sin and that the Holy Spirit dwells within us.
 
It has been said that by our own baptism we became missionary disciples of Christ and as such we need to be personally involved and actively engaged in living a faith-filled life, participating in a Christian community of faith and love. For is this not the very reason we belong to the Church, to be engaged in a community of faith and love?
 
I could explain the many benefits of baptism, but the more challenging question, one worthy of our reflection, is how are we using this precious gift? Maybe a good place for us to start is to reflect back when many of us, as parents presenting our children for baptism or as godparents, renewed our baptismal promises. These promises are as good a guidepost as any for us to continue to follow.
 
We might ask ourselves if, as engaged Catholics, we are role models for our children. Do we worship together as a family and nurture our children to develop a strong faith? The same questions can be extended beyond our homes and families, to those with whom we interact in our workplaces and communities; do we present ourselves as engaged Catholics and serve as role models?
 
I dare say all of us have come up short in answer to these questions, but do not despair, for our God is a loving and forgiving God. Equally as important, through our baptism, the gift of the Holy Spirit dwells within us. Through the Holy Spirt, God is personal to each of us and has the power to transform us into the people we want to be.
 
The gift of the Holy Spirit that God gave us at our baptism is ours to call upon when we need guidance. The Holy Spirit can help us to live the lives we are capable of – lives as engaged Catholics–lives of compassion and love for members of our families as well as strangers on the street. Maybe it is time for us to “plunge” ourselves back into our faith.

Baptism of the Lord

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Before Jesus began preaching, teaching, and healing throughout Galilee and Judea, he came to John to be baptized. The Spirit of God descended upon him and God’s voice called out, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” As Christians, baptized with the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to carry on Jesus’ mission. Let us consider how God calls us to put our faith into action. May God be well pleased.

Over the last month or so, we have heard the news of God’s most wonderful gift revealed to a larger and larger audience. First Mary was told of the role she was asked to play as the mother of God. When Joseph was planning to divorce her, he was told of how Mary came to be pregnant. When the child was born, the angels proclaimed the good news to shepherds. Last week we heard of the epiphany the magi experienced. Now, as Jesus is baptized, God speaks from the heavens to reveal the Messiah as the Son of God.  
 
Are we open to seeing the Holy Spirit acting through unexpected people or guiding us in unexpected ways?