Category: Podcasts

a reflection on living a life of discipleship

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13 The Baptism of the Lord

John the Baptist baptising Jesus Christ in a river

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Hello! Today we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Today’s Gospel comes from Luke 3:15-16, and 21-22. There is so much going on in today’s readings! We can’t possibly cover them all in the few minutes we have together, but hopefully this podcast will serve as a good supplement to what you hear preached this weekend in church. So let’s jump right in!

So John is baptizing people. Interesting footnote: neither John nor Jesus invented baptism. The ritual purification of sins by bating had been practiced by the Jews for centuries and is the equivalent to our Sacrament of Reconciliation.<1> But John preached that this bath was necessary to prepare for the coming of the Messiah.

Now, the question that people often ask is, if Jesus is just like you and just like me in every way except sin, why does He need to be baptized by John? Why does He need to enter this sin-cleansing ritual?

Well, on one level, if John is telling people they must be baptized to access the Messiah, then Jesus entering the water is a way of his signaling to the rest of us that God is not asking us to do anything that Jesus is not willing to do. Jesus entering the pool and the heavens opening up so that God’s grace poured down affirms that baptism is the way to enter into this community – the way to enter the Church.

On another level, Jesus entering the pool and accepting baptism by John was His acceptance of God’s will for His life and it marked the beginning of his mission as God’s suffering Servant. He subjects himself to John in baptism just like He will subject himself to those who would later crucify him.

Also, Jesus enters this water that is ritually filled with the sins of the people. He immerses Himself in the water and He carries these sins with Him all the way to the cross. Out of love, He consented to His baptism of death for the remission of our sins.

As we end this Christmas season and begin Ordinary Time, we do so knowing that, in our own Baptism, we become the adoptive sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus, members of His Church. This means that we, too, are called to humbly submit ourselves to God’s wise and loving plan for our lives.

On the day of our Baptism, as Pope St. John Paul II explains, we were anointed with the Oil of Catechumens, the sign of Christ’s gentle strength, to fight against evil. Blessed water was poured over us, an effective sign of interior purification through the gift of the Holy Spirit. We were then anointed with Chrism to show that we were thus consecrated in the image of Jesus, the Father’s Anointed One. The candle lighted from the Paschal Candle was a symbol of the light of Faith which our parents and godparents must have continually safeguarded and nourished with the life-giving grace of the Spirit.<2>

The Church teaches that, “Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other Sacraments,” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1213). So we are challenged by the Gospel to grow in our baptism every day. Today then is a good day to pause and to review our baptismal promises.

During baptism, we are asked, or for infant baptism our parents and godparents were asked, “Do you believe in God the Father, the maker of heaven and earth?” In other words, do you believe in God – that there is a God and that you are not that God?

The second question, “Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?” In other words, do you believe that, although you are not God, the one who is equal to God did not think being in the form of God was anything to be clung to, so emptied Himself, taking on the form of a servant and becoming human like all other human beings (Philippians 2:6–7)? Can you believe that what you and I are, a creature, is so powerful, so important, so wonderful that God has chosen to be a creature along with you?

And finally, “Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting?” That the Spirit and the Church are linked in this third question is significant. Do you believe that the Spirit of God is present in the world, not first and foremost in you or in me, but in us? In other words, do you believe that the Spirit dwells primarily not in individuals but rather in the community – in the Church? It’s not enough to drink a cup of coffee on your porch, watch the sun rise and say to yourself, “I’ve praised and worshipped God.” If we are physically able to go to Church, then through our baptism we are called to be part of the community and present every weekend. If we are not physically able to go to church, then we should let the church know. There are ways to watch the mass on television or via the internet, but the church would like to send someone to you to bring you the Eucharist so that even at home, you’re connected to the community.<3>

At various times throughout the year, our liturgy begins with a sprinkling rite, where the priests and deacons go out into the community sprinkling us with water. So, too, has it long been a custom for people to bless themselves with holy water when entering a church. These are reminders and reaffirmations of our baptism. It’s a way for us to recommit ourselves to baptism again and again. At every stage of our lives, we are called to discover anew what baptism really demands of us.

Homework! After having been nourished by the Word of God proclaimed and by the Eucharist, please reflect on these questions:

  1. First, what does it mean to believe in a God a that is not you?
  2. Second, what does it mean to believe in your own holiness and goodness?
  3. Finally, what are some ways this year that you can deepen in your baptismal promises? Some examples might be going to mass on a regular basis and perhaps an occasional daily mass; going to confession once a month; joining a faith formation or Bible study program at your parish or through a trustworthy online source.

You’ll find the homework in the notes for this podcast or on the website, deaconrudysnotes.org. I think by doing our homework, we can be mindful of our baptism and we can challenge ourselves to grow in our faith so that we can be better disciples of Jesus Christ. Do you get it? Well, good! May each of us grow in our baptism through the grace of Jesus Christ. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. +Amen!

Notes
<1> Until the fall of the Temple in 70 AD, it was common for Jewish people to use a special pool called a Mikveh – literally a “collection of water” – as a means of spiritual cleansing, to remove spiritual impurity and sin. Men took this bath weekly on the eve of the Sabbath. Women, took this ritual bath monthly. Converts were also expected to take this bath before entering Judaism. To this day, the Orthodox Jews still retain the rite. See also: The Gospel of Luke, by Pablo T. Gadenz, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, a Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2018, 81-83.
<2> John Paul II, “Feast of the Baptism of the Lord,” Vatican Website, January 7, 2001, para. 2, accessed January 12, 2018, http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/2001/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_20010107_baptism.html
<3> “Rite of Baptism for Children.” In The Rites of the Catholic Church, the Roman Ritual Revised by Decree of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council and Published by the Authority of Pope Paul VI. Study ed. Vol. 1. 2 vols., 360-466. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1990.

Further reading
Himes, Michael J. The Mystery of Faith: An Introduction to Catholicism. Cincinnati, OH: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2004.

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12 Epiphany

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Mass Readings
Reading 1 – Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm – Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
Reading 2 – Ephesians 3:2-3A, 5-6
Gospel – Matthew 2:1-12

Peace!

Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. In today’s Gospel according to Matthew, the magi arrive from the east. They’re following a star and they want to pay homage to the newborn king of the Jews. So they go, of course, to the current king of the Jews to ask where they can find the newborn king. Surely he must know. Herod, who the Gospel tells us is greatly troubled, assembles the chief priests and the scribes and asks them where the Christ is to be born. They tell him that according to prophecy, he will be born in Bethlehem of Judea. Later, Herod secretly calls the magi back and he asked them to go find the child and send word to him so that he too might pay him homage.
So, the magi leave Herod and follow the star to a house and on entering the house Scripture says they find the child with Mary his mother. They prostrate themselves and they offered their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Later having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they leave by another way.

We don’t read the Gospel simply to reflect on history or engage in some sort of theatrical reenactment. No, the Gospel has a message for us, that’s clear.

There are three different reactions to the birth of Jesus. First, we have the reaction of the magi who are on a journey to find the Messiah. Second, there are the chief priests and scribes who are indifferent to the birth. Third, there is Herod who is consumed by hatred because of Jesus. Let’s explore each of these briefly.

The magi clearly are not Jewish, or they would have known the prophecy and they never would have approached Herod. But they are drawn to the star and set out on a journey to find the Messiah.

Then there are the scribes and chief priests. They have been praying for the Messiah, and now that there’s a rumor that he’s born, they do nothing. They’re completely indifferent.

Finally, there’s Herod who clearly is bothered at the suggestion that a rival has been born. Scripture will tell us later about his character, but we know that he orders the murder of male children as he tries to hunt down Jesus. He murdered his mother-in-law, wife, two brothers-in-law and three children on suspicion that they plotted against him.

“Ok, but what does all this have to do with me?” you might ask.

Let’s take the chief priests and scribes. Unfortunately, there are people who claim to be Christian, who look like Christians, but who are actually indifferent to their faith. Pope Francis calls these sorts of Christians hypocrites because they might spend a lot of time in church bowing and praying and beating their chests, but their lives don’t manifest any real change. Outside of church when they drop their act of piety, they could be mean, cruel, ugly, people are completely indifferent to the thoughts and feelings of those around them.

Then there are the people we encounter who are hostile to the faith, but this hostility could be subtle. It could be in the form of a government or business policy that says you can’t talk about Christ or you can’t put up Christmas decorations or you can’t wear Christian jewelry. Then there are the people who like magi are on a spiritual journey.

The great challenge of today’s Gospel is who do you want to be? Are you hostile to the faith – do you try to suppress those around you? Are you indifferent to the faith? Are you Christian in name only, simply going through the motions? Or are you a disciple who like the magi are on a spiritual journey?

What’s a disciple? First, a disciple accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Second, a disciple wants to grow in their love for Jesus. When you fall in love with someone, you want to learn everything about that person, right? Well, a disciple wants to grow in their faith and tries to learn more about Jesus. Finally, a disciple is someone who goes out and spreads the Good News. Jesus Christ has come into the world; he suffered and died on the cross, and by His blood we are cleansed us of our sins and He offers us salvation. That’s a message worth sharing!

So this great feast of epiphany should be an epiphany for each of us – a manifestation when we want to recommit to having an encounter with Jesus Christ; an encounter that leads to transformation. Let my prayer be, “Please, Lord, transform me. Help me to be a different person. And give me the courage and the words to share the Good News of Jesus with everyone that I encounter.”

Homework, nourished by the Eucharist and the Word of God proclaimed, ask yourself:

  1. Who do I want to be like: a chief priest; Herod; or a magi?
  2. As this new year begins, what are some things I am willing to do to develop my faith this year? Can I attend mass regularly – perhaps even a daily mass? Could I go to confession once a month? Could I participate in a Bible study or some other faith formation program offered at my parish or through a reputable online source in communion with the Holy See?

I think if we do our homework, we can better develop into magi – into better disciples of Jesus Christ. May each of us come to know the grace and peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. +Amen!

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11 Feast of the Holy Family

Nativity scene Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus

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Mass Readings

Feast of the Holy Family
Reading 1 – Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
Or 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28
Psalm – Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Or Psalm 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10
Reading 2 – Colossians 3:12-21
Or Colossians 3:12-17
Or 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24
Gospel – Luke 2:41-52

Merry Christmas on this Feast of the Holy Family!

Today we pause to celebrate family life as inspired by the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Many times we hear about young families or perhaps the great challenges to married life. But after reading an excellent reflection in the Word Among Us, today I’d like to share with you another image of family life.

“Take care of your father when he is old,” (Sirach 3:12). That is what we hear in one of the options for today’s first reading taken from Sirach. In today’s language we call that helping with activities of daily living. There are various estimates of the numbers of people caring for elderly, ill or disabled family members or friends in the United States. According to AARP, there are approximately 43.5 million people or approximately 20% of the population providing unpaid care to someone.1 People in this situation really experience what selfless love is all about. In Sirach we learn that all sorts of blessings come from caring for elderly family members including: forgiveness of sins, spiritual treasures, joy, answered prayers and even long life.

Hearing that doesn’t make it any easier. Words cannot describe what families go through to care of someone who needs help. The physical labor alone can be overwhelming. There are also financial challenges. And of course there is the emotional toll – the sense of helplessness and frustration as you watch your loved one struggle or as you standby as dementia slowly takes someone you love. There are times when you want to scream to heaven, “Why is this happening?”

Sirach reminds us that time spent caring for someone, especially someone who is dying, can lead to many blessings. For people living through this phase of life, that’s probably farthest from our minds. But having witnessed my father-in-law’s decline and death a little over a year ago, I can tell you that what we learn from Sirach is true. This is the time to say goodbye. This is the time to tell them how much you love them, even if they aren’t in a state of mind to respond. This is the time to ask for and to receive forgiveness, to make amends and to set things right. I saw family members pull tighter together as everyone pitched in to care for him. I saw firsthand healing and love take place. And when at last the time came, I saw peace descend on the family – peace at knowing that his suffering was over. I’m sure many of you can share stories about the people you love.

Sirach tells us that caring for family members leads to forgiveness of sins, spiritual treasures, joy, answered prayers and even long life. Whether we want to think about it or not, we can find some of the blessings described in Sirach in our family stories. Sometimes they come years later. I suggest to you that many families live the image of the Holy Family. Mary and Joseph cared for the baby Jesus – a baby who needed someone else to feed him, to clean him, to clothe him and to protect him. Mary even got to hold the body of her dead son when they removed his body from the cross. In our families, we walk together from birth through life and eventually to the grave. It’s not always easy and frankly it’s not always fun. But we face the challenges of life out of the love we have for one another.

May the Holy Family inspire each of our families to selflessly walk together come what may. Homework:

  1. How can you help? Do you know someone caring for someone who cannot take care of themselves? Respite comes in many forms – even an occasional meal or an errand can be a huge help to families.
  2. Why wait? Why wait for the dementia or a terminal illness? Now as our year draws to a close and inspired by Christmas joy, now is the time to reach out to the people in your life and begin making amends, asking for forgiveness and telling your family members how much you love them.
    I wish you a blessed and happy new year! May each of us come to know the grace and peace of Jesus Christ. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Notes:

  1. National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. (2015). Caregiving in the U.S.