The Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord officially closes the Christmas season. Hopefully, the graces received during this joyful time will continue to sustain us as we move along into the New Year. Monday, January 13th, we will return to Ordinary Time until the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, February 26th. On Sunday, February 2nd we will celebrate Candlemas Day, which is called the Solemnity of the Presentation. Monday, February 3rd is the Memorial of St. Blaise with the traditional blessing of throats.
The Baptism of the Lord reminds us of our own baptism, when we first entered into the death and resurrection of the Lord. The waters of baptism wash away the Original Sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve, that we are born into; and at the same time bring us into communion with God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. Because Jesus is the beloved Son of the Father, we are beloved sons and daughters of the same loving God. We need to affirm this relationship every day. Each of us is loved unconditionally. This is our true identity as Christians. We must never forget it.
The Baptism of the Lord tells us that Jesus has entered into the nitty-gritty of our lives. Jesus is not aloof from what we experience, but in the midst of it all - good and even bad. Jesus is never on the sidelines just watching what happens to us. He is in the thick of things. When we are wounded in the battle for our souls He steps in to heal us. When we feel alienated and unloved He touches our souls with His greatest affection. In a very real sense God has confidence in us as His sons and daughters to build up the kingdom for His greater honor and glory. We pray that in all things God may be glorified. Because of this relationship we receive bountiful blessings. For more on this please read Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World by the late Father Henri Nouwen. I highly recommend this little book for a spiritual boost.
This Sunday at the 11:30 A.M. Mass Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone will be with us to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to our young people. Let us remember in a special way to pray for our confirmands that they may persevere in the Catholic Faith received at Baptism.
Another special event this week falls on Tuesday, January 14th at 7:00 P.M. when Archbishop Cordileone will return to preside at a Vespers Service in our church along with our Greek Orthodox brothers and sisters from the Church of the Holy Cross. Metropolitan Gerasimos of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco will be the Homilist. We offer a special welcome to all visitors and I encourage you to attend. A reception will be held afterwards in St. Michael’s Hall.
In this New Year let us live each day in communion with God. May we more and more die to sin in Jesus Christ and rise up to new life in Him. May this year be one of many blessings and graces for each of us. Let us live holier lives.