Posted on 01/08/2017 8:21:29 PM PST by Salvation
"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Believe in Jesus Christ, Son of the living God but, according to the Gospel, Gods only son: God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life, (Jn 3:16)
He is Son of God by nature not by adoption, for he was born of the Father
For the Father, being true God, begot the Son in his own likeness as true God
Christ is son according to nature, a true son not an adopted son as you, the newly baptised, are in becoming children of God. For you, too, become sons but by adoption, according to grace, as it is written: To those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name
(Jn 1:12). As for us, we have been born of water and the spirit (Jn 3:5) but not in the same way as Christ was begotten of the Father. Because, while he was being baptised, the Father spoke out and said: This is my Son. He did not say: This man has now become my Son but: This is my Son so as to show that he was Son even before the moment of baptism.
The Father begot the Son in a different manner than the one in which, in our case, the spirit brings forth words. Because the spirit within us subsists, while our words, once they have been spoken and emitted, are dispersed. But we know that Christ has been begotten as Word: not as speech uttered but as subsistent and living, not as spoken and issuing from the lips but as born eternally from the Father in a substantial and ineffable way. For In the beginning was the Word Gods speech and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, (Jn 1:1), sitting at his right hand (Ps 110 [109]:1). He is that Word who knows the Fathers will and carries out all things at his command, the Word who descends and ascends (Eph 4:10)
, the Word who speaks and says: I tell you what I have seen in the Fathers presence, (Jn 8:38), a Word full of authority (cf Mk 1:27) who rules over all, for the Father has given everything over to the Son, (Jn 3:35).
St. Catherine of Genoa
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The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.
Amen. "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28) "Blessed are you among women, |
Matthew | |||
English: Douay-Rheims | Latin: Vulgata Clementina | Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000) | |
Matthew 3 |
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13. | Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him. | Tunc venit Jesus a Galilæa in Jordanem ad Joannem, ut baptizaretur ab eo. | τοτε παραγινεται ο ιησους απο της γαλιλαιας επι τον ιορδανην προς τον ιωαννην του βαπτισθηναι υπ αυτου |
14. | But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me? | Joannes autem prohibebat eum, dicens : Ego a te debeo baptizari, et tu venis ad me ? | ο δε ιωαννης διεκωλυεν αυτον λεγων εγω χρειαν εχω υπο σου βαπτισθηναι και συ ερχη προς με |
15. | And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfill all justice. Then he suffered him. | Respondens autem Jesus, dixit ei : Sine modo : sic enim decet nos implere omnem justitiam. Tunc dimisit eum. | αποκριθεις δε ο ιησους ειπεν προς αυτον αφες αρτι ουτως γαρ πρεπον εστιν ημιν πληρωσαι πασαν δικαιοσυνην τοτε αφιησιν αυτον |
16. | And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. | Baptizatus autem Jesus, confestim ascendit de aqua, et ecce aperti sunt ei cæli : et vidit Spiritum Dei descendentem sicut columbam, et venientem super se. | και βαπτισθεις ο ιησους ανεβη ευθυς απο του υδατος και ιδου ανεωχθησαν αυτω οι ουρανοι και ειδεν το πνευμα του θεου καταβαινον ωσει περιστεραν και ερχομενον επ αυτον |
17. | And behold a voice from heaven, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. | Et ecce vox de cælis dicens : Hic est Filius meus dilectus, in quo mihi complacui. | και ιδου φωνη εκ των ουρανων λεγουσα ουτος εστιν ο υιος μου ο αγαπητος εν ω ευδοκησα |
“Christ is bathed in light; let us also be bathed in light. Christ is baptized; let us also go down with him, and rise with him.
John is baptizing when Jesus draws near. Perhaps he comes to sanctify his baptiser; certainly he comes to bury sinful humanity in the waters. He comes to sanctify the Jordan for our sake and in readiness for us; he who is spirit and flesh comes to begin a new creation through the Spirit and water.
The Baptist protests; Jesus insists. Then John says: I ought to be baptised by you. He is the lamp in the presence of the sun, the voice in the presence of the Word, the friend in the presence of the Bridegroom, the greatest of all born of woman in the presence of the firstborn of all creation, the one who leapt in his mothers womb in the presence of him who was adored in the womb, the forerunner and future forerunner in the presence of him who has already come and is to come again. I ought to be baptized by you: we should also add, and for you, for John is to be baptized in blood, washed clean like Peter, not only by the washing of his feet.
Jesus rises from the waters; the world rises with him. The heavens like Paradise with its flaming sword, closed by Adam for himself and his descendants, are rent open. The Spirit comes to him as to an equal, bearing witness to his Godhead. A voice bears witness to him from heaven, his place of origin. The Spirit descends in bodily form like the dove that so long ago announced the ending of the flood and so gives honor to the body that is one with God.
Today let us do honor to Christs baptism and celebrate this feast in holiness. Be cleansed entirely and continue to be cleansed. Nothing gives such pleasure to God as the conversion and salvation of men, for whom his every word and every revelation exist. He wants you to become a living force for all mankind, lights shining in the world. You are to be radiant lights as you stand beside Christ, the great light, bathed in the glory of him who is the light of heaven. You are to enjoy more and more the pure and dazzling light of the Trinity, as now you have received – though not in its fullness – a ray of its splendor, proceeding from the one God, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory and power for ever and ever.
Amen.”
-from a sermon by Saint Gregory of Nazianzus
(Oratio 39 in Sancta Lumina, 14-16, 20: PG 36, 350-351, 354, 358-359)
[Catholic Caucus] FROM THE PASTOR -- Baptism of the Lord
The Bountiful Blessings of Baptism
"Why did Jesus insist on being baptized?"
Jesus, the Beginning of the New Creation: The Readings for the Baptism of the Lord
Feast of THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD [Catholic Caucus]
The Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Baptism of the Lord: Our Power
Heaven, a Dove, a Voice [Baptism of the Lord]
Prayer and Meditation - Baptism of our Lord
Feast Day: January 9
Born: 635 in North Africa
Died: 9 January 710
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Monday, January 9
Liturgical Color: White
St. Josemaria Escriva, founder of
Opus Dei, was born on this day in
1902. On his 16th birthday, he came
across footprints in the snow made
by a barefooted friar. He was so
impressed by his dedication and
sacrifice that he entered the
seminary.
Just got back from a lloooooong meeting.
Other Titles: Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord
Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord. This brings to an end the season of Christmas. The Church recalls Our Lord's second manifestation or epiphany which occurred on the occasion of His baptism in the Jordan. Jesus descended into the River to sanctify its waters and to give them the power to beget sons of God. The event takes on the importance of a second creation in which the entire Trinity intervenes.
In the Eastern Church this feast is called Theophany because at the baptism of Christ in the River Jordan God appeared in three persons. The baptism of John was a sort of sacramental preparatory for the Baptism of Christ. It moved men to sentiments of repentance and induced them to confess their sins. Christ did not need the baptism of John. Although He appeared in the "substance of our flesh" and was recognized "outwardly like unto ourselves," He was absolutely sinless and impeccable. He conferred upon the water the power of the true Baptism which would remove all the sins of the world: "Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him Who takes away the sin of the world."
Many of the incidents which accompanied Christ's baptism are symbolical of what happened at our Baptism. At Christ's baptism the Holy Spirit descended upon Him; at our Baptism the Trinity took its abode in our soul. At His baptism Christ was proclaimed the "Beloved Son" of the Father; at our Baptism we become the adopted sons of God. At Christ's baptism the heavens were opened; at our Baptism heaven was opened to us. At His baptism Jesus prayed; after our Baptism we must pray to avoid actual sin.
Excerpted from Msgr. Rudolph G. Bandas
Click here for commentary on the readings in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.
Customs on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
In the Ukraine the faithful gather in the front of the church where a cross of ice is placed. Since there are no rivers near churches, a tub is filled with water and is placed in front of the ice cross. During special and very unique services the water is blessed and brought home. This is taken in before breakfast is eaten. The remains are kept during the year to keep the home safe from fire, lightening and sickness.
The priest visits his parishioners to bless their homes with the holy water that the New Year may be one of cooperation with the gift of God; His Son and the participation in the Life He has come to lead us in toward Salvation. The evening meal is very much a repeat of the Holy Supper except that there are no restrictions on meat and dairy products. It starts with Kutia, which has been saved from Christmas Eve.
The Sixteenth Day of Christmas
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
The mystery of Christs baptism in the Jordan by St John, the Precursor, proposes the contemplation of an already adult Jesus. This mystery is infinitely linked to the Solemnities of the Lords birth and the Epiphany that we have just celebrated, as in some ways it takes up and represents their significance to us.
At Christmas we have contemplated the human birth of the Word incarnate by the Virgin Mary. In the 4th century, the Fathers of the Church deepened the understanding of the faith with regard to the Christmas mystery in the light of Jesus Humanity. They spoke of the Incarnation of the Word already working like the Christification of that humanity that he had assumed from His mother. Or put in simpler terms: Jesus is the Christ from the first instant of conception in Marys spotless womb because He Himself, with His Divine Power, consecrated, anointed and Christified that human nature with which He became incarnate.
In the mystery of the Epiphany, we then meditated on Christs manifestation to all nations that was represented by the Magi, the wise men from the East, who came to adore the Child.
Now, in the mystery of Christs Baptism in the Jordan River, we again encounter and represent the truth of the Lords incarnation and His manifestation as the Christ. Jesus Baptism is in fact His definitive manifestation as the Messiah or Christ to Israel, and as the Son of the Father to the entire world. Here we find the dimension of the Epiphany which was His manifestation to all nations. The Fathers voice from heaven shows that Jesus of Nazareth is the eternal Son and the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove shows the Trinitarian nature of the Christian God. The true and unique God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, shows Himself in Christ, through Him, with Him and in Him.
The Baptism in the Jordan returns to the great Christmas theme of Christification, Jesus of Nazareth's spiritual anointing, His presentation as the Anointed One par excellence, the Messiah or the One sent by the Father for the salvation of mankind. The Spirit that descended on Jesus shows and seals in an incontrovertible way the Christification of Jesus humanity that the Word had already fulfilled from the first moment of His miraculous conception by Mary. Jesus, from the very beginning, was always the Lords Christ, He was always God. Yet, His one, true humanity, that which is perfect in every way, as the Gospel records, constantly grew in natural and supernatural perfection. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and with men (Lk2:52). In Israel at 30 years of age, one reached full maturity and therefore could become a master. Jesus came of age and the Spirit, descending and remaining on Him, definitively consecrated His whole being as the Christ.
The same Spirit, that descended on the water of the River Jordan wafted over the waters during the first creation (Gen 1:2). Therefore, the Baptism in the Jordan presents yet another truth: that Jesus has started a new creation. He is the second man (1 Cor 15:47) or the last Adam (1 Cor 15:45), that comes to repair the first Adams guilt. He does this as the Lamb of God that takes away our sins. Looking at the events in light of the Cross and Resurrection, the Christian people realised what happened: Jesus loaded the burden of all mankinds guilt upon His shoulders; he bore it down into the depths of the Jordan. He inaugurated his public activity by stepping into the place of sinners (Joseph Ratzinger, Jesus of Nazareth, Bloomsbury 2007, p 18).
Excerpted from the Congregation for the Clergy
The Baptism of the Lord (Feast)
The heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove. (Matthew 3:16)
A young man stands outside an apartment building ready to begin his new job in a city far from his family. His father is next to him. I know you can do this, he says. Youre my son, and Im proud of you. Ill be available any time you need me. Keep in touch, and dont forget who you are.
Did you know that Jesus had a similar experience? When he began his public life at his baptism, his Father opened the heavens and spoke words of encouragement to him: Jesus was his beloved Son, and he was both proud and well pleased to be his Father!
Today as you celebrate Jesus baptism, know that God wants to open heaven for you just as he did for Jesus. He wants to speak encouragement to you when you take a new step in your life, just as he did for Jesus. Just as he sent the Spirit to his Son, so he gives the Spirit to you. Just as he proclaimed Jesus as his beloved Son, he tells you that you are his beloved as well. Just as he affirmed and encouraged Jesus at the start of his ministry, he has special blessings stored up for you when you approach a new chapter in your life.
These new beginnings can be as big as taking religious vows or as small as starting another year as a catechist in your parish. Maybe youre preparing for the birth of your first child or going back to work after decades of raising children. You may be moving or starting a new job. No matter what, God has words of encouragement for you. He wants you to know he is your Father, and he loves you. He wants you to be convinced that he is blessing you and has great things in store for you. He tells you that he is ready to help you in any way you need it.
So let the Father open heaven for you today!
Thank you, Father, for reminding me how precious I am to you and how much you have in store for me!
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10
Daily Marriage Tip for January 9, 2017:
Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. (Mt 3:13) Remember your baptism today, and that of your children. Look at pictures and share memories. Are you a godmother or godfather? Pray for your godchild today.
Matthew 3: 13-17
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
Introductory Prayer: Lord, thank you for this time to be with you. I believe in you. I believe that you are here with me and that you want to speak with me today. I wish to open my heart to hear your word and put it into practice out of love for you.
Petition: Lord, help me to grow in the virtue of humility.
1. Jesus Lines up with Sinners: John was preaching a baptism of repentance, and large numbers of people were coming to John to repent of their sins. They wanted to change the direction of their lives and be reconciled with God. Jesus came along with the crowd. Even though he is the sinless one, he numbered himself among the others and proceeded to the Jordan as if he, too, were a sinner like them. To appreciate this gesture, we need only to recall how much we resent it when we are perceived as guilty for something we didnt do. Its even costly to have our real faults pointed out to others. Yet here, even when he is so far from the slightest stain of guilt, Jesus peacefully and humbly accepts being labeled a sinner like everyone else. He does this for our sake. Am I overly concerned about how I appear to others so that this negatively affects my good deeds?
2. A Humility that Bows to the Fathers Will: John did not want to baptize Jesus, because he knew that Jesus was not like the others. Yet Jesus made it clear that this was part of the Fathers plan, and this plan was the driving force in his life. Pride did not get in the way of Jesus obedience. Rather, his Fathers will was the food that fed and nourished his life. My food is to do the will of the Father and to finish his work (John 4:34). What does my own heart feed on? If it is not fed on the Fathers will, then could pride be subtly at work turning me into my own highest purpose?
3. A Fathers Blessing: Heaven responded to Christs obedience. This moment foreshadows the definitive opening of heaven to mankinds salvation, accomplished through Christs sacrifice on Calvary. The heart of sacrifice is obedience, and obedience is not possible without humility. Jesus humbled himself before John the Baptist. The Father saw his obedience and was pleased, praising him out loud: This is my beloved Son. To listen to him is to follow his example.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, thank you for the gift of yourself. Teach me to be humble. It is hard for me to put others ahead of myself, to take second place, to let others win the praise and glory I crave for myself. Help me to be humble and to seek repentance from all sin in my life. I need your help to do your will. Strengthen and guide me in your service.
Resolution: I will do a hidden act of charity for someone.
In the first reading from the Letter to the Hebrews we are reminded that Jesus is the author of our salvation. God the Father sent his Son into the world and he became man, capable of suffering and death. After a life of goodness and kindness, Jesus triumphs over sin and death by dying on the cross and being raised from the dead, thereby fulfilling God’s will. Now, through him and in him, we have access to the Father, which more often than not, may involve the cross in our own lives.
It is true that when we look at Jesus it seems we are so different from him. We feel that we can never attain his holiness, which is true. Yet we can at least share in his desire to do the will of the Father always.
And then, if we believe that he became man, in all things like us except that he was without sin, then maybe we can also do works for eternal life, the good works the Father wants us to do.
We must believe that whoever desires to do good works, God will help to do so. When we do good works, we glorify the Father. Our focus should not be on ourselves or our weaknesses and incapacities, but on the will of God. Jesus lived his life like this. So by looking at Jesus, our leader and example in faith and love, we hope to be close to him and to imitate him.
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