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Jesus’ Baptism
“Why did Jesus, the sinless one sent from the Father in heaven, submit himself to John’s baptism? John preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 3:3). In this humble submission we see a foreshadowing of the “baptism” of Jesus bloody death upon the cross. Jesus’ baptism is the acceptance and the beginning of his mission as God’s suffering Servant (Isaiah 52:13-15; 53:1-12). He allowed himself to be numbered among sinners. Jesus submitted himself entirely to his Father’s will. Out of love he consented to this baptism of death for the remission of our sins. Do you know the joy of trust and submission to God?
God the Father proclaimed his entire delight in his Son and spoke audibly for all to hear. The Holy Spirit, too, was present as he anointed Jesus for his ministry which began that day as he rose from the waters of the Jordan river. Jesus will be the source of the Spirit for all who come to believe in him. At his baptism the heavens were opened and the waters were sanctified by the descent of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, signifying the beginning of a new creation.
How can we enter into the mystery of Jesus’ humble self-abasement and baptism? Gregory of Nazianzus, a seventh century church father tells us: “Let us be buried with Christ by baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him." Do you want to see your life transformed by God's grace? And do you want to be an effective instrument of the gospel? Examine Jesus’ humility and ask the Holy Spirit to forge this same attitude in your heart. As you do, heaven will open for you as well and the Father will anoint you with his life-giving Spirit. The Lord is ever ready to renew us in his Holy Spirit and to anoint us for mission. We are called to be “light” and “salt” to those around us. The Lord wants his love and truth to shine through us that others may see the goodness and truth of God’s message of salvation. Ask the Lord to fill you with his Holy Spirit that you may radiate the joy of the gospel to those around you.
"Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and inflame my heart with the joy of the gospel. May I find joy in seeking to please you as you found joy in seeking to do the will of your Father."
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LIVES OF THE SAINTS
DECEMBER 1T. EDMUND CAMPIONSt. Edmund lived in the sixteenth century. He was a very popular young English student who was..Read More » DECEMBER 2ST. BIBIANASt. Bibiana's father Flavian had been prefect of the city of Rome in early Christian times. Read More » DECEMBER 3ST. FRANCIS XAVIERSt. Francis Xavier, the great missionary, was born at Xavier Castle in Spain in 1506.Read More » DECEMBER 4ST. JOHN DAMASCENESt. John lived in the eighth century. He was born in the city of Damascus of a good Christian familyRead More » DECEMBER 5ST. SABASSt. Sabas, born in 439, is one of the most famous monks of Palestine.Read More » DECEMBER 6ST. NICHOLASSt. Nicholas is the great patron of children and of Christmas giving.Read More » DECEMBER 7ST. AMBROSESt. Ambrose was born around 340. He was the son of the Roman governor of Gaul. When his father died.. Read More » DECEMBER 8IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF MARYOur first parents offended God by sinning seriously.Read More » DECEMBER 9BLESSED JUAN DIEGOSt. Juan Diego is well-known because the Mother of God appeared to him. It was to Juan Diego ..Read More » DECEMBER 10ST. JOHN ROBERTSSt. John was born in Wales in 1577. Although he was not a Catholic, he was taught by an elderly priest.Read More » DECEMBER 11ST. DAMASUS IST. Damasus was born in Rome and lived in the fourth century-exciting times for the Church.Read More » DECEMBER 12OUR LADY OF GUADALUPEWe celebrate the event of Mary's appearances on Tepyac Hill in Mexico. The heavenly visitor came..Read More » DECEMBER 13ST. LUCYSt. Lucy, the beloved saint, lived in Syracuse, Sicily. She was born toward the end of the third century.Read More » DECEMBER 14ST. JOHN OF THE CROSSSt. John was born in Spain in 1542. He was the son of a weaver.Read More » DECEMBER 15ST. NINOSt. Nino was a Christian girl who lived in the fourth century.Read More » DECEMBER 16ST. ADELAIDESt. Adelaide was born in 931. At the age of sixteen, this Burgundian princess was married to King Lothair.Read More » DECEMBER 17ST. OLYMPIASSt. Olympias was born around the year 361. She belonged to a great family of Constantinople.Read More » DECEMBER 18ST. FLANNANSt. Flannan lived around the seventh century. He was the son of an Irish chieftain named Turlough. Flannan was educated by the monks.Read More » DECEMBER 19BLESSED URBAN VBlessed Urban's name before he became pope was William de Grimoard. He was born in France..Read More » DECEMBER 20ST. DOMINIC OF SILOSSt. Dominic, a Spanish shepherd boy, was born at the beginning of the eleventh century.Read More » DECEMBER 21ST. PETER CANISIUSST. Peter, a Dutch man, was born in 1521. His father wanted him to be a lawyer. To please him, young Peter..Read More » DECEMBER 22ST. CHAEREMON AND ST. ISCHYRION AND OTHER MARTYRSThe third century was marked by Roman persecutions of the Church.Read More » DECEMBER 23ST. JOHN OF KANTYSt. John, the Polish saint, was born in 1390, the son of good country folk. Seeing how intelligent their son was, Read More » DECEMBER 23ST. MARGUERITE D'YOUVILLESt. Marguerite was born in Quebec, Canada, on October 15, 1701. Her father died in 1708 ..Read More » DECEMBER 24ST. CHARBELSt. Charbel was born Youssef Makhlouf on May 8, 1828, in a mountain village in Lebanon.Read More » DECEMBER 25CHRISTMAS, THE BIRTHDAY OF JESUSThe time had come for the Son of God to become man for love of us.Read More » DECEMBER 26ST. STEPHENSt. Stephen's name means crown. He was the first disciple of Jesus to receive the martyr's crown.Read More » DECEMBER 27ST. JOHN THE APOSTLESt. John was a fisherman in Galilee. He was called to be an apostle.Read More » DECEMBER 28THE HOLY INNOCENTSWhen Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the Wise Men came from the east to worship him.Read More » DECEMBER 29ST. THOMAS BECKETSt. Thomas Becket was born in 1118, in London, England.Read More » DECEMBER 30CST. ANYSIASt. Anysia lived in Thessalonica toward the end of the second century.Read More » DECEMBER 31ST. SYLVESTERSt. Sylvester dates back to early Christian times, to the reign of Constantine.Read More » |
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"Jesus' Baptism"
Why did Jesus, the sinless one sent from the Father in heaven, submit himself to John's baptism? John preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 3:3). In this humble submission we see a foreshadowing of the "baptism" of Jesus bloody death upon the cross. Jesus' baptism is the acceptance and the beginning of his mission as God's suffering Servant (Isaiah 52:13-15; 53:1-12). He allowed himself to be numbered among sinners. Jesus submitted himself entirely to his Father's will. Out of love he consented to this baptism of death for the remission of our sins. Do you know the joy of trust and submission to God? Read More »