January 12, 2025

This weekend the Christmas Season officially comes to a close with the celebration of Our Lord Jesus' Baptism. After the observance of this feast, the Christmas decorations come down in church and we return to what is called Ordinary Time. The Baptism of Jesus is the second of Jesus' epiphanies or manifestations of his divine nature, for at this baptism, the Trinity was made manifest as well. God the Father's voice was heard; God the Son in the person of Jesus Christ was baptized in the Jordan by John the Baptist; and the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove. The first of Jesus' epiphanies was celebrated last Sunday with the arrival of the Wise Men, and the third epiphany is the first miracle of Jesus at the wedding of Cana. 

Jesus was manifested as Son of God at his Baptism. We at our baptism become children of God. We know this because our faith teaches us this truth, but do we ever really stop to think how valuable this makes us in God's eyes? God adopts us as his very own and continually sustains us at every moment of our lives, caring for us and gifting us with everything we need. All he asks us in return is our abiding love for him in response to His love and care for us. 

The fact that we are children of God also means that each person has value and is to be treated as such. God made us to be eternally happy with him in heaven. To make this possible after our fall into sin, God sent his Son to bring us back into a right relationship with him by his Son Jesus' redemptive work. If God can love us so, we who are the recipients of such great love can certainly treat one another with the respect and charity that is our due as God's beloved children. 

It is our privilege to welcome Bishop Michael Woost to our parish this coming Februry 9, 2025. It is customary for one of the bishops of the diocese to make a visitation of every parish in the course of the year. Bishop Woost will celebrate the 11:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, February 9 followed by a light luncheon social in the Family Center. Mark your calendars to welcome Bishop Woost to our parish.