Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

“But Jesus is God; why does Jesus get baptized? Because he wants to be with the sinners…He saves us by coming to meet us and taking our sins upon himself. This is how God conquers worldly evil: by humbling himself, taking charge of it. It is also the way that we can lift up others: not by judging, not by suggesting what to do, but by becoming neighbours, empathizing, sharing God’s love…in each act of service, in every work of mercy we perform, God manifests himself…He draws near, allow me to say, he caresses us with his mercy.”    — Pope Francis

 

FROM YOUR PASTOR 

At the moment of JESUS’ BAPTISM, through the TRINITARIAN LOVE OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, Jesus transitioned from his FAMILY LIFE to a LIFE FOR OTHERS.  Both Fully Human and Fully Divine, he had NO SINS TO BE FOREGIVEN… but he had His LIFE TO GIVE.

To whom did He give His life? To Sinners…to you and to me.

He Walked, Talked, and Dined with Sinners during His Life…and He calls Sinners Today to experience the Love, Mercy, Compassion, and Forgiveness of His Heavenly Father in Our Life.

From THE CROSS, Jesus says, ‘I Thirst.’ Not for water…but for our joys and sorrows, successes and failures, hopes and dashed dreams,  sins and selfless deeds …ALL OF THEM…so He can CARRY THEM WITH US…and FOR US.

But there is more…

At the moment of His Baptism, Jesus assumed HIS MISSION — OUR REDEMPTION. A journey that leads from the River Jordan to Jerusalem.. and the Cross.

His DETRACTORS murdered Him.

He ATTRACTED those who were the object of His Teaching, Preaching, Healing, and Raising from the Dead…THOSE WHO WANTED MORE…THOSE HE LOVED!

So, OUR LIFE BECOMES HIS LIFE…

If we REJECT HIM, we reject the GREATEST GIFT one can give — to LAY DOWN ONE’S LIFE FOR ONE’S FRIEND. You would never do that with a friend in your life…NEVER DO IT TO THE ONE WHO SAVED YOUR ETERNAL LIFE!

If we ACCEPT HIS GIFT, the journey will be rough. The same force — SATAN — will tantalize us with the attractions of our human nature — wealth, power, prestige,  stuff, and admirers — to TURN OUR FOCUS ON OURSELVES and our self-satisfaction…NOT THE LIFE JESUS ASSUMED FOR OTHERS AT THE MOMENT OF HIS BAPTISM.

Will we fail periodically? Probably. But that is where the GRACE OF JESUS’ GIFT TO US KICKS IN.

When we fail with a HEART FOCUSED ON SERVICE TO OTHERS,  we are ONE WITH GOD…the One who is PURE LOVE…and with each ACT OF SERVICE, even if we fail, we will receive HIS LOVE, MERCY, COMPASSION,  AND FORGIVENESS.

So, how do we LIVE OUR BAPTISM…LIVE A LIFE FOR OTHERS?

We LIVE OUR MISSION — the SAME MISSION AS JESUS — in three ways:

> First, be a PERSON OF PRAYER for others. Do you pray regularly for those who have asked for your prayers? Do you pray for those who have no one to pray for them?

> Second, SPEAK THE WORDS OF GOD. Are the words of God — in Prayer and Scripture — on your lips regularly in your daily life? Do you not only share them, do you believe them? Do you live them?

> Third, EVANGELIZE OTHERS FOR THEIR SALVATION. Do you understand that God places others– friend, foe, or stranger — in your life for a reason? Do you realize that His Plan is that you not only save yourself, but that you save others?  Do you lead others to God through your words and actions so they may live God’s will for their life?

Why is this important?

Because on YOUR LAST DAY, I hope you want to hear the WORDS OF YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER that JESUS HEARD AT HIS BAPTISM – – ‘You are my beloved child; with you I am well pleased.’

+May God Bless You and Keep You+