Gospel
7 January
2017
The Baptism of Our Lord
Jesus Christ Mark 1:4-11
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a
baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole
Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and
were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was
clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate
locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is
coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his
sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy
Spirit.” In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by
John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the
heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice
came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
On this First Sunday after the Epiphany, the Church celebrates
the Lord’s Baptism. Jesus goes into the
Baptismal waters to call us to join him and be clothed in his baptism. This is one of the four great baptismal
feasts of the Church Year. How fitting
it is then that we at Holy Cross will be celebrating a baptism. As we celebrate the Lord’s Baptism, and that
of the child to be baptized, we celebrate our own baptism. This is the beginning of the commemoration of
Jesus’ earthly ministry, and it is a fitting time to remember that we have been
called to ministry in the world from the moment in which we were baptized into
Christ, into his death and resurrection, into his baptism. We are the hands and feet of Jesus. We are his voice and his presence in this
generation.
Father
Timothy+
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