Feast of The Baptism of Our Lord

My dear friends in Christ,

Today is the Feast of The Baptism of Our Lord. This marks the conclusion of the Christmas Season and the beginning of Ordinary Time. It’s a feast of transition from Jesus’ hidden life to that of His public ministry. It also echoes the theme of the Epiphany in that the Baptism of The Lord is another manifestation announcing Jesus’ divinity to all of His first followers and to the disciples of John the Baptist. The Church recalls Our Lord’s second manifestation on the occasion of His Baptism in the Jordan. Jesus descended into the River to sanctify its waters and to give them the power to beget sons of God. The event takes on the importance of a second creation in which the entire Trinity intervenes. Jesus did not need baptism. John was baptizing those in need of conversion and filled with sinfulness as they came forward as a sign of interior repentance. Jesus had no need to repent. Jesus comes to John anyway. John resists at first but Jesus insists. So why was it so necessary for Jesus to receive baptism? Because this was the introduction to His salvific mission in the world.

I have gotten positive feedback regarding how beautiful the Altar looked and the gorgeous flowers and wreaths in and around the Church. Much thanks to the Art and Environment team for maintaining the flowers and plants. The total cost for the flowers was $3,850. Our Christmas Flower Collections was $1,847.00. That leaves us with a deficit of $2,003 which comes from our parish debt reduction and development. That is why it’s so important to use the 2nd collection envelopes.

May God bless you all,

Father John