Dear Believers,

Today, we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. In Luke 3:15-16, John the Baptist humbly baptizes his cousin, Jesus. John is aware that he is not worthy to loosen the thongs of Jesus’ sandals. John has been waiting for this moment. In fact, in the beginning of Advent, John the Baptist called us all to repentance. The Christmas season ends with John and this incredible encounter in the Jordan River. 

The mystery that is revealed in today’s gospel is that John and Jesus are not alone in the Jordan. Jesus was praying and heaven opened. The Holy Spirit is revealed in the waters in the form of a dove. A voice echoes across the water from God the Father, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” 

The Trinity is revealed in Jesus’ baptism. We too, are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We are born again in God’s name. The blessed water in which we were all baptized offers us union and communion with God. We too, belong to God. We are the beloved of God on earth today. 

The Father’s affirmation of Jesus is both human and divine. We all ache to belong in the world. We all ache to hear from the Father that our lives have meaning. We need to know in the world that our actions make a difference. Jesus’ baptism was the beginning of his public ministry. Our baptism is the beginning of our commitment within the Church. The Father is pleased with each of us; we belong to God. We are the beloved on earth today. Our lives are infused with the Trinity. Jesus’ baptism becomes a blueprint for our ministry, actions, and life in the world. We are not alone. We are all God’s children. 

Today, I invite you to reflect upon your own baptism. How do you belong in the Trinity? How is God calling you into a life of faithfulness and right action?

Response: Jesus, help us rise from the waters

When we are deep in our darkness…

When we live with only regret…

When our lips are tight with anger…

When our fists are tense with revenge…

When our voices are horse from accusations…

When our hearts shrink with self-doubt…

When our lives are steeped in dread…

When we fear the future…

When we are bent down in self-doubt…

When we reek with cynicism…

When we feel alone and beg for mercy…

When we are on our knees in surrender…

When we finally stop living other people’s lives…

When we see our family in the light of love…

When we are comforted with the grins of our children…

When we enjoy the aging expressions of our grandparents…

When we see within our hearts the dignity of all people…

When we remember to be kind and assuring…

When we long for hope in song and prayer…

When we finally see the road to heaven…

When we finally rise from the death of denial…

When we finally rise from our self-absorption… 

When we finally rise to life in you…

When we finally long to see your face…

Amen

God give you peace,

Fr. Ron Raab, CSC, Pastor