Dear Friends and Family,
This Sunday we honor the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This is one of the “theophanies” – that is God’s self-revelation to man. In this one event the whole Trinity reveals itself. God the Son makes himself known, the Father speaks, and the Holy Spirit descends! By celebrating this feast, we can reflect on our own baptism. Pope Francis from time to time reminds us how important baptism is to us. He has asked us questions like: When was your baptism? Do you know the date of your baptism? Do you celebrate your baptism as much as your birthday? These are good questions to ask!
Most of us know that through baptism we become children of God, and it cleanses us from all sin. Then we might also ask why Jesus had to be baptized since he is the Son of God from all eternity without any sin? The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains it to us: “The baptism of Jesus is on his part the acceptance and inauguration of his mission as God’s suffering Servant. He allows Himself to be numbered among sinners; He is already ‘the Lamb of God, who takes away sins of the world’” (CCC 536).
This is a very important Christmas message for us today. On Christmas we celebrate that God loves us so much that He not only became like a man – mortal, limited, leaving behind His omnipotence. But not only that, God is not afraid to identify with the lowliest people of all. Even more – He is not afraid to be among us as sinners. This is why we should be excited that we are a work in progress!
Jesus comes to take all of our dirty stuff, all the sins away from us. He is like a parent who is ready to change a baby’s diaper so that the baby might be clean. That’s why we quote John the Baptist at every Mass: “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away sins of the world.”
God remains God, immaculate, without sin, but He is ready to do everything to help us get rid of any sin and all the heaviness that it brings us. For us it is important to decide if we allow Him to save us or not. Are you ready to receive God’s love? Will you accept it as he accepts you?
Monsignor +Jim