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Page Five BAPTISM OF THE LORD January 9, 2011
FEAST OF FAITH
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
At the beginning of our prayer, we make the sign of the
cross together. This sign, simple and powerful, operates
on many levels. We trace the sign of the cross over our
bodies, reminding ourselves that the cross of Christ has
become our source of resurrection, life, and grace. With
this sign, we also profess our faith in the Trinity: the
presider does not say "in the names," but "in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit"‐‐
three persons, one God. The sign of the cross is also a
baptismal reminder, for every sign of the cross echoes
the words spoken over us at our baptism, which marked
our entry into the saving mystery of Christ. This many‐
layered sign is also our primary sign of blessing: the cross
is traced over people, places, and things upon which we
ask God to impart divine benediction.
In blessing ourselves with the sign of the cross at the
beginning of Mass, we acknowledge the mystery that has
gathered us together: that Christ, the crucified and risen
One, is living, and that we are members of his Body. Our
response, our Amen, is our yes to all this, our first
profession of faith.
‐‐Corinna Laughlin, (c) Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
THIS IS MY BELOVED SON
This Sunday's celebration of the Baptism of the Lord
closes the Christmas season. In the scriptures we see one
more epiphany, or manifestation, of the Spirit of God in
Jesus‐‐but this time it is as an adult, rather than as a
child. Jesus' baptism also serves as the inauguration of
his prophetic mission and the messianic age.
Today's reading from Isaiah describes God's chosen
Messiah, upon whom God's spirit rests. In the Acts of the
Apostles Peter says that "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Spirit and power" (Acts 10:38). Finally, in
the proclamation from Matthew's Gospel Jesus' baptism
in water goes almost unnoticed. The crucial moment
comes when the Spirit of God comes upon Jesus and a
voice from heaven echoes the words of Isaiah: "This is
my beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased" (Matthew 3:17).
(c) Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
January 9, 2011
Baptism of the Lord
IS 42:1‐4, 6‐7 / Acts 10:34‐38 / Mt 3:13‐17
You never get a second chance to make a first
impression. Though today’s feast day celebrates Jesus’
baptism, in today’s Gospel the Holy Spirit is the one
making the first impressions. As Jesus emerges from his
baptism, the Holy Spirit descends on him in the form of a
dove—a gentle bird normally associated with peace.
That’s certainly one first impression of the Holy Spirit.
However, as we know from Jesus’ ministry, the Holy
Spirit’s work in him was hardly quiet and peaceful. Jesus
spent his life turning the status quo upside down—
challenging those in power and uplifting those who were
oppressed. Jesus called for repentance from sin, healed
the outcast, and overturned the moneychangers’ tables
in the temple.
As we hear in the reading from Acts, after his baptism
Jesus was filled with “the holy Spirit and power.” Talk
about a second chance to make a first impression—this
Holy Spirit turned out to be no meek dove, but a mover
and a shaker!
Though Jesus’ baptism was different form ours, we too
receive the power of the Holy Spirit in our baptism and in
the sacrament of confirmation. And the Holy Spirit seeks
to move and shake in our lives, just as it did in Jesus’ life.
But we’re not marionettes controlled by the Spirit. We
must respond to the Spirit’s urging. In the moments
when a colleague tells a racist joke, when we see a
stranger treated unjustly, or when a lonely neighbor
aches for companionship—in those moments, the Holy
Spirit calls us to speak out in justice and to reach out in
love. The Spirit continually seeks to make new first
impressions in the world through our actions—if we are
willing to respond.
Janel Esker
sundaybulletins@liguori.org
© 2011 Liguori Publications, Ligouri, MO 63057‐9999. Printed in U.S.A. Imprimatur: Most Rev. Robert J.
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