Saints of God, the Lord be with you!

I can’t help but wonder if the Church chose this reading from the Gospel according to John (2:1-11) to direct our attention to back to the celebration last week, the Baptism of the Lord, and it’s Gospel reading according to Luke (3:15-16; 21-22).

Today’s Gospel mentions that the copious amount of water (twenty to thirty gallons in six stone water jars) were there for Jewish ceremonial washings. Washings would have been another way of saying cleansings. And isn’t that what Baptism is all about? Well, that’s part of what Baptism is about. True, we are washed clean of original sin. Baptized into the “name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit” our human nature begins to be changed; divinized. We are gifted with the identity and mission of Christ. Anointed with the Chrism of Salvation (a symbol of the Holy Spirit) we are called to be the Light of Christ, as Priest, Prophet, and King. While our white baptismal robe is a sign of our Christian dignity. As St. Augustin wrote, “Rejoice O Christian! For by your baptism, you are more than a Christian, you are Christ Himself.” We are called not to be Jesus Christ, (We can’t be since we are not fully human and fully divine. Nor are we first century Jewish men.) but are called be Christ in our own way, in our own time.

God the Father gives us a “new name; we become a glorious crown and a royal diadem.” We are God’s Delight and His Spouse…God rejoices in you!” as Isaiah wrote in the first reading (Is. 62:1-5). God weds Himself to us, and in a way, we can say that in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, God weds Himself to creation and Humanity. In Christ the two become one without confusion.

The second reading from St. Paul to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 12: 4-11) shows us how our baptismal relationship with the Holy Trinity should be lived.

We are gifted for service toward one another. We are given the Holy Spirit who manifests Himself through wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, mighty deeds, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues and their interpretation. We are called to yield our lives to the Spirit and produce these fruits of the Spirit in the world.

We might say that today’s Gospel reminds us that God has wed Himself to each of us and together we make up the Church. Let us not live barren lives, but rather let us help one another to grow in holiness and imitation of Christ. For that is what Baptism and the Sacrament of Matrimony is all about.

– Fr. Steve

My Dear Friends,

The Baptism of the Lord is an important feast in the Christian liturgical calendar, especially in the Franciscan tradition. The event is recorded in all four Gospels (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, and John 1:29-34) and marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. For Franciscans, this feast offers rich theological reflection, inviting us to contemplate the mystery of Christ’s humility, his identification with humanity, and his mission to bring about God’s kingdom.

Humility is considered the cornerstone of the Christian life, and St. Francis of Assisi himself is known for his deep commitment to humility, as seen in his rejection of worldly honor and his embrace of poverty. The Baptism of Jesus is seen as a profound act of humility. Though sinless, Jesus enters the waters of repentance, not because he needs purification, but because he desires to identify fully with the human condition. This moment calls us to reflect on our own call to humility, inviting us to follow Christ’s example in our own lives—especially in moments when we may feel called to serve others without seeking recognition.

When Jesus is baptized, the heavens open, and the voice of God the Father declares, “This is my Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). This moment of divine revelation affirms Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and shows the deep love the Father has for him. As Franciscans, our approach to this passage emphasizes God’s love not only for Jesus but for all of creation. St. Francis often spoke of creation as a reflection of God’s love, and he saw everything—people, animals, plants—as brother or sister in the vast family of God. The Baptism of the Lord reminds us to live in the grace and love bestowed upon us and to share it generously with all creation.

The Baptism of the Lord is one of the clearest moments in the New Testament where the Holy Trinity is revealed: the Father speaks, the Son is baptized, and the Holy Spirit descends like a dove. The dove represents peace, simplicity, and gentleness—qualities that were central to St. Francis’s way of life. The dove’s presence at the baptism is a sign of the Holy Spirit’s role in empowering Jesus for his mission, and it reminds us of the importance of the Holy Spirit in our own lives. The Spirit calls us to embody peace and gentleness in our interactions with others and to live out the radical love that Jesus demonstrated.

The Baptism of the Lord is a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus and a rich source of reflection. It is an opportunity to contemplate the humility, love, and mission of Christ, to renew our own baptismal calling, and to remember that we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives of peace, service, and joy. Through the Baptism of Jesus, we are reminded that all our vocations in life call us to be of transformed by humility, and to pursue active participation in the divine mission of working towards bringing peace to the kingdom of God to earth.

Pax et bonum!
-Fr. Zack

Dear Friends,

The Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—holds a central place in Christian theology and devotion. Representing the ideal family, their lives reflect the virtues of faith, obedience, humility, and love. Among the passages in the New Testament that offer insight into the family dynamic of Jesus, one particularly moving moment is found in Luke 2:41-52, where we see a glimpse of Jesus’ early years and his growing awareness of his divine mission.

The story begins by noting that the Holy Family, as was customary for faithful Jews of the time, made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem every year for the Feast of the Passover. The Passover was one of the most important Jewish festivals, commemorating the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. This annual journey highlights the devotion of Mary and Joseph to their faith and their commitment to keeping the religious practices that defined their Jewish identity.

Their participation in this religious tradition underscores the holiness of their family life. It also sets the stage for the story to come, as we see how Jesus, even at a young age, is growing in both his understanding of God and his sense of divine purpose.

How do we try to resemble a Holy Family? Do we have annual traditions and customs as Jesus’s family did? Do we make sure that we have that special quality time with our family and making sure that God is always the center? This is how we can work and become more like the Holy Family we read about this weekend. We celebrate this feast because again Jesus is showing us the way, the way to Him by making sure we include our family and His in this journey of faith.

It is through our experience of family life that we can learn and try to imitate the Holy Family. We may not think of ourselves as being a holy family, but in fact, we really are. Are we trying our best to live good and moral lives? Do we respect and honor each other? Do we say, “I love you” and “I forgive you”? Do we stop to listen, not just hear, and try to understand the different situations of our family members? Do we practice our faith together by attending Mass and praying together? Do we live with a heart full of gratitude for the abundant blessings God’s gives to us? These are just a few indicators of living the life of a holy family. You are a holy family!

Luke offers a powerful glimpse into the early life of Jesus, showing both his divinity and his humanity. It highlights the loving, obedient relationship between Jesus and his parents, and the early signs of his divine mission. This passage invites Christians to reflect on the importance of family life, the call to obedience, and the profound mysteries of the Incarnation. Through the example of the Holy Family, we are encouraged to live lives of faith, humility, and devotion, trusting in God’s plan and growing in wisdom and grace.

– Deacon Ray