Sunday’s Readings: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Psalms 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-30; Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
……from your Pastor’s Desk
The Baptism of the Lord
And a voice came from the heavens,
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Jesus has just been baptized by John. There’s a crowd. Many of them have also just been baptized. Jesus feels the enormity of the occasion. Then, suddenly, something happens to change everything. The heavens open and the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove and God speaks to His Son.
What an overwhelming experience it must have been for everyone who witnessed the event. Jesus had shown both acceptance of his humanness and solidarity with the people. The loving words of His Father gave Him strength and courage to set out on the mission that would ultimately lead to the cross. He clearly knew God’s Will and what He must do to follow it.
Unlike Jesus who began His ministry with Divine endorsement, few of us can ever be certain that we are totally pleasing God. While we strive to do God’s Will, very often it is not clear whether God’s Will and our will are the same. We tend to follow our inclination, assuming that since God placed these desires in our hearts, we must be on the right track. When we are nagged by self-doubt, there are two useful questions for self—assessment.
-The first is to ask ourselves whether we are at peace – whether personally or professionally. If we spread love and joy, then in all likelihood we are living out God’s dream for us.
-On the other hand, if we experience constant chaos within and without, then we may need to pray for clarity and seek advice from those wiser than ourselves.
Father Ron
