As we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, it is a good opportunity for us to reflect upon our own baptism.  St. Luke presents the baptism of Jesus as a significant turning point in his life and ministry.  It is at his baptism that the profound truth of Jesus is proclaimed.  As Jesus was baptized, Luke tells us that “…heaven was opened and the Holy Spirt descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

For most of us, we were baptized as infants or small children, and we have little or no memory of the monumental event in our lives.  At baptism, each of us was anointed as priest, prophet, and king.  While the heavens may not have opened, our baptism was no less monumental.  It was the beginning of our faith journey, our initiation into the Church, into the Family of God, and our lives were changed from that very moment.

For those who have not received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, or who have not yet formally received their First Communion, our parish will begin an RCIA program (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) in two weeks.  RCIA is a beautiful process of preparation for those who wish to be received into the Church, to be sealed with the Holy Spirit and to be marked as a beloved child of God.  If you have not received the Sacraments of Initiation, prayerfully consider joining our RCIA program. 

For those of us who have received the Sacraments of Initiation, this weekend is a time for us to celebrate and to give thanks.  It was at our baptism that God whispered into our ears, “You are by beloved child, with whom I am well pleased!”  Take a few moments to thank those who nurtured your faith along the way.  Remind yourself that you are God’s beloved, with whom God is well pleased.  

May God bless you and your loved ones today, tomorrow, and forever more.

+Harry