January 9, 2022

Jesus' Baptism

January 9, 2022:  Baptism of the Lord

See over 30 connections with today?
Legend below

Listen
For Is 40 reading

    For Psalm 29
    Pope Francis

    Angelus:  After some 30 years of living in hiding, Jesus' public life began when John the Baptist baptized Jesus on the Jordan's bank.  He didn't show up with a few miracles or teaching in a cathedral; he shared the lot of sinners, lining up with them to be baptized, coming down to us, dipping into our waters to heal them. 

    At the moment Jesus was baptized, he was praying. Jesus prayed often, in intimate relationship with the Father.  In today's gospel we see Jesus descending towards us and raising his gaze and heart to the Father.

    We're all immersed in problems, intricate situations, called to face difficulties and choices that pull us down.  We need to lift everything upwards.  Prayer is a way to let God work in us; it helps us, uniting us to God, opening us up to an encounter with him, opening our hearts to the Lord, giving us oxygen and breathing space even amid anguish, making us see things more widely, allowing us to feel like children loved by the Father.

    Baptism homily:  These infants will receive their Christian identity through the Sacrament of Baptism.  The role of parents and godparents is to help them deepen and preserve this identity.  It is a daily effort and commitment, the Pope added, underlining the importance to help the children grow in the blessing of the light they receive today.  The People of Israel went to the Jordan with their feet and soul exposed as a sign of their need for God and cleansing.  So too these infants are ready to receive justification and strength from God to go forward as their parents and godparents help them preserve their Christian identity.  Make your children feel at home and nurse them.... 

    • Is 42 :1-4, 6-7  Here's my servant; he'll bring justice.  I, the Lord, called you, grasped you, formed you, and set you as light for all, to open the eyes of the blind and to release prisoners and those in darkness.
      • Ps 29:1-4, 9-10  "The Lord will bless his people with peace."  Give the Lord glory; adore him in holy attire.  The mighty, majestic voice of the Lord is over the waters.  The Lord is king forever.
      • Acts 10:34-38  Peter: God shows no partiality; he accepts all who fear him and act uprightly.  God anointed Jesus with the Spirit and power; Jesus did good and healed the oppressed.
      • Is 40:1-5, 9-11  Comfort my people; proclaim to Jerusalem that her service is at an end,her guilt expiated.  A voice cries out:  Prepare the way of the Lord!  Every valley shall be filled in,
        mountains made low; rugged land made a plain; rough country, a valley.  All shall see the Lord's glory        .
        Cry out, Here is your God!  He rules by a strong arm.  Like a shepherd he feeds his flock, gathers and caries the lambs, and leads the ewes.
      • Ps 104:1b-4, 24-25, 27-30  "O bless the Lord, my soul."  You are great, majestic, and robed in light.  
        How manifold your works        !  Earth and sea are full of your creatures; you fill the with good things.  When you send your spirit, they're created, and you renew the earth.  
      • Lk 3:15-16, 21-22  All were filled with expectation, asking whether John might be the Christ.  John answered, “I'm baptizing you with water, but one mightier is coming who will baptize you with the Spirit and fire.”  After all had been baptized and Jesus had been baptized, heaven was opened, the Spirit descended upon him like a dove. and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
      Reflect
      • Creighton:  Today's feast bridges Christmas and Ordinary Time.  The hopeful descriptions of the 1st readings build to good news, the glory of the Lord, justice, a kept promise, a chosen one, promise for the devastated exiles, for the whole world.  The Titus reading reminds us that God’s love, and the gift of our Savior, are because of his mercy.   The Acts reading reminds us God’s mercy is for all, showing no favorites.  In the gospel  John the Baptist paves the way for Jesus and baptizes him; then heaven was opened, the Spirit descended on Jesus, and a voice said “You are my beloved Son....” 
      What does this feast mean for us as we end our Christmas celebration, begin a new year, and move into Ordinary Time, still battling COVID-19, racism, divisiveness, and other injustices and struggles?  May we learn from and grow closer to Jesus as he begins his adult ministry, learning from and following him more closely.  May I better understand that God loves and is pleased with me and let that guide my actions.
      • One Bread, One Body:  "Love lasts":  On the last day of Christmas, my true Love, Jesus, revealed the Father to me in a new way and gave to me a deeper life in the Spirit; my true love, the Holy Spirit, cried in my heart “Abba” (“Papa”):  the Father spoke; Jesus saved; the Spirit descended.  May we grasp the breadth, length, height, and depth of Christ’s love, experience this love, and attain to God's fullness.  Am I ready to be loved as the Father loves Jesus, letting the Spirit pour out God's love in your heart.  God is Love, and all who abide in love abide in God, and God in them. Live love....
      • Passionist:  Today's feast adds to Christmas a dimension of ministry.  At baptism, we received the Holy Spirit and a commission to love as Christ loves....
      Jesus came to give us the fire of his Spirit that we may radiate gospel joy and truth to a world in need of God.  Like John the Baptist, we're called to give testimony to the light and truth of Jesus Christ.  Sinless Jesus' humble submission to John's baptism foreshadowed the "baptism" of his crucifixion.  His baptism is the acceptance and the beginning of his mission as God’s suffering servant; he submitted himself to his Father's will.  The Father proclaimed his delight in his Son, and the Spirit was also present as he anointed Jesus for his ministry.  At Jesus' baptism heaven was opened and the waters were sanctified.  "Let us be buried with Christ by Baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him" (St. Gregory Nazianzen)....
      Dress legend
      • 'Thunderbolt' pin:  The God of glory thunders (Ps 29)
      • 'Crown' tie bar:  The Lord is enthroned as king forever (Ps 29)
      • 'Peace' tie pin:  The Lord will bless his people with peace (Ps 29); God proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ (Acts 10)
      • 'Dove' pin:  I've put my spirit on my servant (Is 42); God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10); When you send forth your spirit, they're created, and you renew the earth (Ps 104); he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Spirit (Ti); he'll baptize you with the Spirit; Spirit descended on Jesus (gospel)
      • 'Scales' pin:  My servant shall bring justice (Is 42); God trained us to live justly (Ti)
      • Celebrate teaching:  The coastlands will wait for his teaching (Is 42)
      • 'Hand' tie pin:  I've grasped you by the hand (Is 42); Jerusalem has received double from the Lord's hand (Is 40); when you open your hand, they're filled with good things (Ps 104); Jerusalem has received from the hand of the Lord double for her sins (Is 40)
      • 'Lights' tie:  I set you as a light for the nations... (Is 42); Lord, you are robed in light (Ps 104)
      • 'Eyeball' tie pin:  ...to open the eyes of the blind (Is 42)
      • 'Sheep' tie bar:  He feeds his flock like a shepherd (Is 40)
      • 'Chariot' tie pin:  You make the clouds your chariot (Ps 104)
      • 'Owl' tie pin:  You wrought your works in wisdom (Ps 104)
      • 'Silverware' tie bar:  They look to you to give them food (Ps 104)
      • 'Phone' tie bar:  I, the Lord, have 'called' you (Is 42)
      • 'Car with mouth' pin:  The mouth of the Lord has spoken (Is 40)
      • 'Alps' pin:  Every mountain shall be made low; go up to a high mountain (Is 40)
      • 'Prize' pin:  The Lord's reward is with him (Is 40)
      • 'Palace' button:  You've constructed your palace upon the waters (Ps 104)
      • Dust-colored suspenders:  If you take away their breath, they perish and return to the dust (Ps 104)
      • 'Train' tie bar:  God's grace 'trained' us (Ti)
      • "Boundless mercy" button:  Our savior's love appeared because of his mercy (Ti)
      • 'Heart' pin:  The people were asking in their hearts whether John was the Messiah (gospel)
      • 'Noël' button:  Christmas season ends today
      • Blue and white shirt:  Blue: The Lord's voice is over the waters (Ps 29); I've baptized you with water (gospel); white for liturgical color of today
        • Sandals (not shown):  John:  I'm not worthy to loosen his sandals (gospel)
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        December 12, 2021

        Gaudete

        December 12, 2021:  Third Sunday of Advent = Gaudete Sunday

        See 17 connections with today?
        Legend below
        Listen
        Pope Francis
        Angelus:  In today's Gospel John the Baptist responds to those asking how to change their lives.  It reflects enthusiasm for the Lord's coming and a desire to prepare for it concretely.  We too should ask ourselves what we're called to do and become.

        The question "What we are to do?" recalls life has a task for us, a gift the Lord grants us; he asks us to discover ourselves and work to make the dream that is your life come true.  Don't be afraid to ask the Lord  what you can do for him., and how it can be translated concretely into contributing to the good of the Church and society.  Advent is to stop and ask ourselves how to prepare for Christmas, what we should do for Jesus and others.  As John the Baptist gave each person a concrete reply, faith is incarnated in concrete life, touching us and transforming our lives.

        Think concretely about what you can do to prepare for Christmas:  visiting someone who's alone, helping the elderly or ill, serving the poor or someone in need, asking for forgiveness, paying a debt, clarifying a misunderstanding, praying more...?

        On Ukraine:  May the international community resolve tensions in Ukraine through dialogue; arms are not the way.  May this Christmas bring Ukraine peace.

        • Zep 3:14-18a  Shout and sing for joy!  The Lord has removed the judgment against you; the King of Israel is in your midst.  It shall be said:  Fear not!  The Lord is in your midst, a mighty savior; he'll rejoice over you and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you.
        • Is 12:2-6  "Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel."  God is my savior, my strength, and my courage.  Make known his deeds, his exalted name...
        • Phil 4:4-7  Rejoice in the Lord!  All should know your kindness; the Lord is near.  Have no anxiety; make your requests to God in prayer with thanksgiving.  Then God's peace will guard you in Christ.
        • Lk 3:10-18  Crowds /  John the Baptist:  “What should we do?” / “If you have cloaks or food, share with the person who has none.” [to tax collectors:]  “Don't collect more than what's prescribed.” [to soldiers:] “Don't extort or falsely accuse, and be satisfied with your wages.”  People were wondering whether John might be the Christ.  John:  “I baptize you with water, but one mightier is coming who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire....”  He preached good news to the people.
        Reflect
        • Creighton:  Today's readings are filled with hope, joy, and the anticipation that something great is about to happen.  God lives in and through me and with all that is.  “Rejoice!  The Lord is near.  Have no anxiety; God's peace will guard your hearts and minds.”  God is always present; there's always reason to “Rejoice!”  But the craziness of the lights, my to-do list, and overemphasis on consumerism draws me away from peace and joy; I can get caught up in the craziness and even get grumpy.  God may be touching us through Christmas crazies too.  May I experience the Reality of the season....
        • One Bread, One Body:  "Doing Christmas":  The crowds, tax collectors, and soldiers asked John the Baptist, "What ought we to do?" So do we.  The Lord answers our question through the Church. Today is “Gaudete [=rejoice] Sunday.  We are to sing joyfully” and rejoice in the Lord!  Everyone should see how unselfish we are.  Even if circumstances are tragic, we rejoice that we've accepted Christ as our Lord and belong to him..  We rejoice in salvation and our repentance and faith....
        • Passionist:  We are other Christs. Think about how God is preparing you for Christ to be reborn in and through you. That birthing is modeled by Mary's birthing and nurturing the Son of God.  Don't miss the importance of Advent, of God dwelling within you, the birthing of Christ within you for the sake of those around us.  This weekend we celebrate Mary's presence in her apparition to St. Juan Diego amidst a massacre.  In the 16th century people feared Spain would dominate the world.  Genocide of native peoples of Mexico accompanied land conquests.  Mary nurtured her heart for the poor into her Son.  Jesus' heart is for the poor.  It's easy to miss this amidst other pre-Christmas activities.  As you let Christ enter and dwell within, ask what he's calling you to...
        • DailyScripture.net:  "He who is mightier than I is coming":  John the Baptist began to prophesy centuries after other prophets; he announced the Messiah was coming.  The people recognized him as a prophet, came to hear him, and submitted to baptism.  John woke people from spiritual sleep and indifference and turned them to God; he wanted them to be ready to follow the Messiah.  Tax collectors and soldiers came to him; Jewish authorities regarded them as unclean and ostracized them, but John welcomed them.  His message of repentance was practical:  share, give everyone their due, and be content with what you have.  He said the Messiah would "baptize with the Spirit and fire."  Fire was associated with God and his action.  God sometimes manifested his presence with fire, and fire symbolized God's glory, protective presence, holiness, justice, and wrath against sin.  John expanded the image by illustrating the separation of wheat from chaff.  The image of fire is used for the Spirit; God's fire purifies us, inspires reverence, and fans our desire for holiness and meeting the Lord.  Jesus can give us the fire of his Spirit so we may radiate joy to those needing God.  God can transform us so we may point others to Christ.  How do I point others to Christ?
        Dress legend
        • Blue 'crowns' tie: the King of Israel is in your midst (1st reading); I baptize you with water (gospel)
        • 'Musical notes with "joy"' pin:  Rejoice! (1st reading, psalm, 2nd reading, Gaudete Sunday)
        • 'Heart' clip:  The Lord will renew you in his love (1st reading); exult with all your heart (1st reading); God's peace will guard your hearts (2nd reading); all asked in their hearts whether John was the Messiah (gospel)
        • Suspenders with globe:  Make the Lord's deeds known among the nations (psalm)
        • Dove/peace pin:  God's peace will guard your hearts... (2nd reading)
        • '?' tie pin:  “What should we do?” (gospel)
          •
        • 'Hand' tie pin:  His winnowing fan is in his hand... (gospel)
        • 'Wheat' pin:  ...to gather the wheat (gospel)
          •
        • 'Dove' pin:  He'll baptize you with the Spirit... (gospel)
        • Rose-colored shirt:  Liturgical color for Gaudete Sunday
        • Sandals (not shown): I'm not worthy to loosen his sandal strap (gospel)
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        October 17, 2021

        29th Sun., Ordinary Time

        October 17, 2021:  Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

        See a dozen connections with today?
        Legend below

        Listen
        For 1st reading
        For 2nd reading
        For Psalm 33
        Pope Francis

        Angelus:  I'm close to         families who lost loved ones in last week's attacks in Norway, Afghanistan, and the UK, sad over the deaths and injuries. I appeal to the perpetrators to abandon violence; it leads to further violence, and everyone loses. 

        Remember yesterday's beatification of Fr. Juan Elías Medina and 126 martyred companions killed during the religious persecution in Spain in the 1930s.  May their fidelity grant us, especially persecuted Christians, strength to witness to the Gospel courageously.

        Ordination homily:  Jesus sent out the Apostles to proclaim the Gospel to all, leading them to salvation.  To perpetuate this apostolic ministry, they transmitted the gift of the Spirit to co-workers through the laying on of hands.  Through the succession of bishops, this ministry has been preserved, and the Savior's work continues.  Bishops Marini and Moreira, you've been chosen for a life of service.  Proclaim the Word at every opportunity, continue to study, and be close to their flock.  You'll be custodians of faith, service, and charity, mirroring God's compassion and tenderness.  Be close to God in prayer.  Pray with your heart, not like parrots.  Be close to other bishops, and remember the priests are your closest neighbors.  Be available to your priests like a father.  Be near your flock.  May you grow in closeness, imitating the Lord who has always been close and is always close to us.

        Read
        • Is 53:10-11  The Lord crushed him in infirmity.  If he gives his life as an offering for sin, the Lord's will shall be accomplished through him.  Because of his affliction, he'll see the light; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, bearing their guilt.
        • Ps 33:4-5, 18-20, 22  "Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you."  The Lord's word is upright and his works trustworthy.  Earth is full of the Lord's kindness.  The Lord's eyes are on those who fear him and hope for his kindness, to deliver and preserve them.  Our soul waits for the Lord our help.
        • Heb 4:14-16  Since we have a great high priest, let us hold fast to our confession.  Our high priest can sympathize with our weaknesses; he's similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.  So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace.
        • Mk 10:35-45  James and John / Jesus:  "We want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." / "What do you wish?" / "That in your glory we may sit at your right and left hand." / "You don't know what you're asking.  Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with my baptism?"  / "We can." / "Then you will, but the seats aren't mine to give."  Jesus, to the ten now indignant at James and John:  "Those recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority felt.  But among you, whoever wishes to be great will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first will be the slave of all.   The Son didn't come to be served but to serve and to give his life as ransom for many."
        Reflect
        • Creighton:  As we approach the Christ the King celebration, the Church challenges us to consider the Harvest of God.  Many early Christians were killed because they claimed allegiance to Lord Jesus, not Caesar; the Mass's introductory rites begin Kyrie (Lord), Caesar's title.   Lord Jesus is all about, is, mercy.  Pope Francis talks about mercy as a verb:  Jesus “mercifies” us, transforming us in his mercy and making us effective in "mercifying" others. Jesus told those closest to him they must be servants like him, “mercifying” the world.  The 1st reading discloses the servant-leader as one who knows and loves his followers.  A servant leader, though without sin, enters the consequences of sin forgives, and heals.  Servant leaders are enriched only by God’s mercy so they may pour riches out on those served.  Every Christian is called to be merciful in our exercise of Jesus' servant-leadership, within the community and for the world.  The servant leader knows that Truth (God) is inseparable from Mercy.  Christ is all about mercy and challenges me to be mercy....
        • One Bread, One Body:  "Good and bad suffering":  The Lord removes some sufferings to make room for other, redemptive, sufferings. He frees us to be vulnerable to hurt.  He gives us the grace to love ourselves so we can be hated and persecuted for the gospel's sake. He blesses us with self-acceptance so we can handle rejection and contempt.  Jesus wants to deliver us from useless suffering. “He went about... healing all in the devil's grip.”  Jesus declared war on sickness, suffering, and bondage.  “The Son of God revealed himself to destroy the devil’s works.”  Suffering in the pattern of Jesus’ death is good, redemptive, for the kingdom, and to be prayed for; it fills up what's lacking in Christ's sufferings for the sake of his Body.
        • Passionist:  May the Lord's will be accomplished through us (1st reading).  If it is, we will have achieved what we were born to do:  to help God’s goodness, justice, patience, kindness, mercy, and compassion break into the world through our attitudes, words, and actions.  We glorify God whenever God’s will is accomplished through us.  The gospel revolves around the question, “What does it mean to be important/great?” Apostles James and John want to matter; they want Jesus to assure them they'll sit at his right and left.  We may connect greatness with recognition, esteem, power, and wealth, but Jesus turns such thinking upside down. saying that true greatness is about serving others, transcending ourselves in love, goodness, generosity, and kindness, doing what we can to bring others to fuller life.  If we do, God's will shall be accomplished through us, and we'll truly be great.
        • DailyScripture.net:  "Not to be served but to serve":  We, like Jesus' disciples, thirst for recognition, power, and authority, but Jesus reversed the order of master/servant, lord/subject, first/last; he linked authority with love, position with sacrifice, and service with humility.  To serve with the Lord, we must be prepared to sacrifice our lives and all we have; we must "drink the cup."  What's my cup:  physical suffering/martyrdom, or daily sacrifices, disappointments, struggles, and temptations?  Jesus' disciples must daily be ready to lay down our lives in little and big sacrifices, but love makes such sacrifice a joy, not a burden.  We share in God's reign through humble service and love for each other. May we lay down our lives, serving others as Jesus taught and modeled for us.
        • Sunday-trumped saint:  Ignatius of Antioch, 2nd bishop of Antioch after St. Peter; wrote about Christ, Church structure, and Christian life.  Arrested, sentenced to death, thrown to wild beasts; described soldiers escorting him as like “ten leopards, who when they are kindly treated only behave worse.”   From famous letter  to the Romans;  "I am God's wheat and shall be ground by the teeth of wild animals.  (context).  More at Universalis, New Advent..
        Dress legend
        • 'Street light' tie bar:  The Servant shall see the light (1st reading)
        • 'Eyeball' pin:  The Lord's eyes are on those who fear and hope in him (psalm)
        • 'Clock' tie bar:  Our soul waits for the Lord (psalm)
        • 'Mitt' tie pin:  Let us fold fast to our confession (2nd reading)
        • 'Boundless mercy' pin:  Lord, let your mercy be on us (psalm); approach the throne of grace to receive mercy (2nd reading)
        • 'Rulers' suspenders:  "Those recognized as the Gentiles' rulers lord it over them" (gospel)
        • '?' tie pin:  "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I'm baptized with?" (gospel)
        • 'Cups' tie:  You'll drink the cup I drink (gospel)
        • 'Cross' pin:  The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give his life (gospel)
        • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
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