Here is the homily I delivered for the Baptism of the Lord<\/p>\n
Baptism of the Lord, Year A
\nSt. Theresa\u2019s 11:00 a.m.
\nIsaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
\nActs 10:34-38
\nMatthew 3:13-17
\nJanuary\u00a09, 2011
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John the Baptist has been busy calling people to repent.\u00a0 He has been baptizing those who have come to him in repentance.\u00a0 The baptism of John is for the forgiveness of sins.\u00a0 One of our principle uses of water is for cleaning.\u00a0 John baptizes with water as a symbol of how our sins are forgiven.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John\u2019s message is all about repentance.\u00a0 His baptism is solely a ritual act for cleansing of our sins.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Now, here comes Jesus.\u00a0 John immediately recognizes Jesus as the one who is \u201cmightier than I\u201d and will baptize with the fire and Holy Spirit.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Here comes the Messiah and he seeks baptize from John.\u00a0 John questions him \u201cI need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John the Baptist is dumbfounded.\u00a0 He knows how much greater Jesus is than he.\u00a0 He knows that the Baptism of Jesus will mean so much more.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John is confused and so he questions.\u00a0 Why should he baptize Jesus?\u00a0 Why would Jesus need to be baptized by him?\u00a0 Jesus has no sin.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jesus tells him to allow this to do this \u201cfulfill\u201d all righteousness.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And so John \u201callows\u201d Jesus to be baptized by him.\u00a0 Isn\u2019t that nice?\u00a0 John \u201callowed\u201d Jesus to do this.\u00a0 Yet, we sometimes don\u2019t allow Jesus to help us.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So why is Jesus to be baptized?\u00a0 He has no sin but in being baptized by John, Jesus takes a ritual that is a ritual cleansing and makes it so much more.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes, in Baptism, original sin and any personal sins up to that time are forgiven and that is important.\u00a0 But something more happens when Jesus is baptized.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe heavens were opened for him.\u201d\u00a0 In the Jewish understanding this meant that God opened up the heavens to communicate with his Son.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In baptism, the heavens are opened for us.\u00a0 In baptism, we enter into new life with Jesus, become members of the Body of Christ.\u00a0
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That already makes baptism so much more than John\u2019s baptism but there is still more.\u00a0
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What happens next?\u00a0 The \u201cspirit of God\u201d descended upon him like a dove.\u00a0 In baptism, we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One more thing!\u00a0 That voice! That voice from heaven that says, \u201cThis is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.\u201d\u00a0 Jesus is The Son of God.\u00a0 In baptism, we become children of God.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So much happens in our baptism but once we are baptized do we do much to remember it.\u00a0 I bet that if I asked anyone here they would know the date of their birth.\u00a0 But if I asked you the date of your baptism, I bet you won\u2019t know.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know the exact date of my baptism.\u00a0 I know the year and maybe the month but that is only because when I was applying to seminary I had to get a new copy of my baptismal certificate.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Baptism leaves a permanent mark on us. The church calls it an \u201cindelible mark\u201d on our character.\u00a0 We are forever changed by it.\u00a0 We are to be ever-reminded of that.\u00a0 For instance, at baptism we are dressed in a white garment as a sign that we have been cleansed of our sins.\u00a0 At funerals, a white pall is placed on the casket as a reminder of our baptism.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When was the last time you thought about your baptism and what it means for you?\u00a0 Note I said what it \u201cmeans\u201d for you (present tense) rather than \u201cmeant\u201d for you (past tense).
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Baptism is a calling from God.\u00a0 Look at Jesus\u2019 baptism.\u00a0 It was not done on John\u2019s initiative.\u00a0 It was done by Jesus\u2019 initiative.\u00a0 It was done by God\u2019s calling.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 God calls us to be his children, God calls us to be his servant.\u00a0 In the first reading we find the first of four \u201cServant Songs\u201d in the Book of Isaiah that tells us what it means to be a servant, a child of God.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We are called to bring justice to the world but this justice is not \u201clegal justice\u201d but truth and fairness to all.\u00a0 Isaiah says the servant will do this not with shouting or by force.\u00a0 We do it quietly in the way we live, each according to how God has called us.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do you listen to God\u2019s call?
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When we think about God\u2019s call (or vocation), we tend to think of priests, deacons, and religious as those who have been called by God.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As a priest, I do have a special calling in the way I serve the Lord.\u00a0 As a priest I am called to preside over the sacraments and to lead God\u2019s people, to lead you, to do God\u2019s will.\u00a0 Deacons and religious have their callings.\u00a0 It is not the same for all priests, etc.\u00a0 Some teach, some work in parishes, some are missionaries.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As a parish priest I am called to bring the gospel to you, so that in turn you may grow deeper in your faith, live your faith as God has called you and then share that faith with others.\u00a0 Listen to God\u2019s call.
\n\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Peace,<\/p>\n
Fr. Jeff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Here is the homily I delivered for the Baptism of the Lord Baptism of the Lord, Year A St. Theresa\u2019s 11:00 a.m. Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 Acts 10:34-38 Matthew 3:13-17 January\u00a09, 2011 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John the Baptist has been busy calling people to repent.\u00a0 He has been baptizing those who have come to him in repentance.\u00a0 The …<\/p>\n