The Baptism of the Lord

Year of Saint Joseph

Other saints: Saint Gregory of Nyssa, Bishop (c. 330-395)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 2:1-10 Qualities of the Abbot

Mass: Is 42:1-4, 6-7; Resp Ps 29; Acts 10:34-38; Mk 1:7-11 or in Year B Is 55:1-11; Resp Ps (Is 12); 1 Jn 5:1-9; Mk 1:7-11

You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

SEEK THE LORD WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND, CALL ON HIM WHILE HE IS NEAR.

(Is 55:6)

Every year on this day I remember something Pope Saint John Paul II said years ago. If I recall correctly it was during his 1979 visit to his native land of Poland. It was a remarkable occasion as it was the first visit of a Roman Catholic pontiff to visit a Communist-ruled country (BBC News, June 2, 1979). It was during the Pope's visit that he recalled his baptism, the most important day of his life. The most important day of John Paul II's life was the day he was baptized. It was not when he was ordained priest, consecrated a bishop, or even elected as pope. It is no wonder as our Catechism teaches this: "Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments" (CCC 1213). Furthermore, "Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ: 'Therefore ... we are members of one another' ... 'For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body'" (CCC 1267). If that's enough, Pope Saint John Paul II preached this on today's feast in 2003: "In Baptism, every Christian personally meets [Jesus]; he is inserted into the mystery of Christ's death and resurrection and receives a new life, which is the life of God. What a great gift, and what a great responsibility!" (January 12, 2003, Sistine Chapel). 

What a beautiful day to recall your own baptism and thank God for the gift. And to go forth with the responsibility to follow Jesus and go "about doing good" (Acts 10:38) with the words of Our Father in heaven in your heart and on your mind: "You are my beloved; with whom I am well pleased" (Mk 1:11). 

Love calls for love. In each act of service, in every work of mercy we perform, God manifests Himself and sets His gaze upon the world.

(Pope Francis, Angelus Address, January 10, 2021)

SAINT JOSEPH,  FOSTER FATHER OF THE SON OF GOD,

PRAY FOR US.

© Gertrude Feick 2021