To: all of my friends

From: Father Bill Muenc

Father Bill says…January 11, 2009

Feast of the Baptism of Jesus

A new year – I am still having trouble remembering that it is 09 – the first week of the year was uneventful, until Wednesday – my day off this week – was a day in – time to read – time for some prayer – as it turned out it was a very good day for me.  I need more opportunities for quiet and pray –

 

 On Friday morning, we had the school Mass – that is always great fun – I usually try to dialogue with the children during the homily – and some times the kids give rather deep and excellent answers – we talked about the word Epiphany – we sort of celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany a couple of days after – so I asked them if they ever had an Epiphany – and it was a little difficult for them to fully understand the sudden discovery that is an Epiphany – finally, one of the teachers ventured an answer – her Epiphany was that she recently discovered that she liked spinach – that brought a few laughs – what I was leading up to and jumped to – is the Epiphany that God loves us all – and because God loves us we are good people – we are special people and should live as well as we can because we are good and special people.

 

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus – which liturgically ends the Christmas Season – most of our world has long since forgotten about Christmas – we are now finally completing the cycle.  Jesus asks John to Baptism him – as you may remember, John’s Baptism is a Baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins – Jesus was sinless – but he chose to stand with us, sinners – in need of pardon.

 

And this moment – of his Baptism – became a moment of illumination – Jesus discovers something important – a moment that establishes a new direction in his life – a discovery – the Gospel tells us that the Heavens were torn open – the Spirit descended on Him – a voice came from the Heavens – “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”  From that moment on – his life would never be the same.

 

Each of us has known moments that have proved turning points in our lives – sometimes it comes a complete surprise – very suddenly – some times gradually – such moments may not be a major decision – actually, it is usually a series of little decisions that come over a time – from time to time we need to look at the direction our lives have taken – changes may have to be made – if we are not happy with the way things are going then we should try to change them.

 

Our own Baptism points us in a very specific direction – God wants us to have live – live in abundance – new life – that is ours in Baptism.  It takes us a life time to fully understand the life that is ours in Baptism.  In Baptism, we share in the life of God – in Baptism we become disciples of Jesus.

 

The question that faces us – Am I being true to the direction in which I was pointed in Baptism?  I leave you with that question- each of us must find the answer – each day of our lives.

 

LET US PRAY

 

Almighty God, our Father – I come to you this day seeking your wisdom that I may discover who I am – you have formed me in Baptism – you have given me direction – but I have wandered so often – help me to discover you, my God – and to discover who I am and all that you ask of me – I have experienced your love over and over again in my life – I have experienced your gift of new life that comes to me over and over again because of my Baptism – now I ask you help that I may live that life in your Spirit – and become loving and alive with your life.  This is my prayer.  Amen.

 

Please join me as we say together the Lord’s Prayer.