Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 01-09-17, FEAST, The Baptism of the Lord

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 01-09-17 | Revised New American Bible

[Salvation]

Daily Gospel Commentary

Baptism of the Lord - Feast

Commentary of the day
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (313-350), Bishop of Jerusalem, Doctor of the Church
Baptismal catecheses, no.11

"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, God’s 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 – God’s 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 Father’s 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 Father’s 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).

[Salvation]

'I see that the sweet God is so solicitous for the welfare of the soul, that no human being could have a like anxiety to gain the whole world even if he were certain to obtain it by his efforts; when behold the love he displays in providing us with all possible aids to lead us into heaven, I am, as it were, forced to say that this sweet Master appears as if he were our servant. If man could see the care which God takes of a soul, nothing more would be necessary to amaze and confound him than to consider that this glorious God, in whom all things have their being, should have so great a Providence over his creatures; yet we, to whom it is a matter either of salvation or damnation, hold it in light esteem.'

St. Catherine of Genoa

[Salvation]

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:  And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.  Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.  Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.  Hail Mary . . .  And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.  Hail Mary . . .  Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.  Let us pray:  Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.  "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28)   "Blessed are you among women,  and blessed is the fruit of your womb" (Lk 1:42).

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Matthew
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Matthew 3
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

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13. Then comes Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John, to be baptized of him.
14. But John forbade Him, saying, I have need to be baptized of You, and You come to me?
15. And Jesus answering said to him, Suffer it to he so now, for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered Him.

GLOSS. Christ having been proclaimed to the world by time preaching of His forerunner, now after long obscurity will manifest Himself to men.

REMIG. In this verse is contained person, place, time, and office. Time, in the word, Then.

RABAN. That is, when He was thirty years old, showing that none should be ordained priest, or even to preach till He be of full age. Joseph at thirty years was made governor of Egypt; David began to reign, and Ezekiel his prophesying at the same age.

CHRYS. Because after His baptism Christ was to put an end to the Law, tie therefore came to be baptized at this age, that having so kept the Law, it might not be said that He canceled it, because He could not observe it.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. Then, that is when John preached, that He might confirm his preaching, and Himself receive his witness. But as when the morning-star has risen, the sun does not wait for that star to set, but rising as it goes forward, gradually obscures its brightness, so Christ waited not for John to finish his course, but appeared while he yet taught.

REMIG. The Persons are described in the words, came Jesus to John; that is, God to man, the Lord to His servant, the King to His soldier, the Light to the lamp. The Place, from Galilee to Jordan. Galilee means 'transmigration.' Whoso then will be baptized, must pass from vice to virtue, and humble himself in coming to baptism, for Jordan means 'descent.'

AMBROSE; Scripture tells of many wonders wrought at various times in this river; as that, among others, in the Psalms, Jordan was driven backwards (Psalms 114:3); before the water was driven back, now sins are turned back in its current; as Elijah divided the waters of old, so Christ the Lord wrought in the same Jordan the separation of sin.

REMIG. The office to be performed: that He might be baptized of him; not baptism to the remission of sins, but to leave the water sanctified for those after to be baptized.

AUG. The Savior willed to be baptized not that He might Himself be cleansed, but to cleanse the water for us. From the time that Himself was dipped in time water, from that time has He washed away all our sins in water. And let none wonder that water, itself corporeal substance, is said to be effectual to the purification of the soul; it is so effectual, reaching to and searching out the hidden recesses of the conscience. Subtle and penetrating in its own nature, made yet more so by Christ's blessing, it touches the hidden springs of life, the secret places of the soul, by virtue of its all-pervading dew. The course of blessing is even yet more penetrating than the flow of waters. Thus the blessing which like a spiritual river flows on from the Savior's baptism, has filled the basins of all pools, and the courses of all fountains.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. He comes to baptism, that He who has taken upon Him human nature, may be found to have fulfilled the whole mystery of that nature; not that He is Himself a sinner, but He has taken on Himself a nature that is sinful. And therefore though He needed not baptism Himself, yet the carnal nature in others needed it.

AMBROSE; Also like a wise master inculcating His doctrines as much by His own practice as by word of mouth, He did that which He commanded all His disciples to do.

AUG. He deigned to be baptized of John that the servants might see with what readiness they ought to run to the baptism of the Lord, when He did not refuse to be baptized of His servant.

JEROME; Also that by being Himself baptized, He might sanction the baptism of John.

CHRYS. But since John's baptism was to repentance, and therefore showed the presence of sin, that none might suppose Christ's coming to the Jordan to have been on this account, John cried to Him, I have need to be baptized of You, and come You to me? As if he had said,

PSEUDO-CHRYS. That You should baptize me there is good cause, that I may be made righteous and worthy of heaven; but that I should baptize You, what cause is there? Every good gift comes down from heaven upon earth, not ascends from earth to heaven.

HILARY; John rejects Him from baptism as God; He teaches him, that it ought to be performed on Him as man.

JEROME; Beautifully said is that now, to show that as Christ was baptized with water by John, so John must be baptized by Christ with the Spirit. Or, suffer now that I who have taken the form of a servant should fulfill all that low estate; otherwise know that in the day of judgment you must be baptized with my baptism. Or, the Lord says, 'Suffer this now; I have also another baptism wherewithal I must be baptized; you baptize Me with water, that I may baptize you for Me with my own blood.'

PSEUDO-CHRYS. In this he shows that Christ after this baptized John, which is expressly told in some apocryphal books . Suffer now that I fulfill the righteousness of baptism in deed, and not only in word; first submitting to it, and then preaching it; for so it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness. Not that by being baptized He fulfills all righteousness, but so, in time same manner, that is, as He first fulfilled the righteousness of baptism by His deeds, and after preached it, so He might all other righteousness, according to that of the Acts, All things that Jesus began both to do and to teach. Or thus, all righteousness, according to the ordinance of human nature; as He had before fulfilled the righteousness of birth, growth, and the like.

HILARY; For by Him must all righteousness have been fulfilled, by whom alone the Law could be fulfilled.

JEROME. Righteousness; but he adds neither 'of the Law,' nor 'of nature,' that we may understand it of both.

REMIG. Or thus, it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness, that is, to give an example of perfect justification in baptism, without which the gate of the kingdom of heaven is not opened. Hence let the proud take an example of humility, and not scorn to be baptized by My humble members when they see Me baptized by John My servant. That is true humility which obedience accompanies; as it continues, then he suffered Him, that is, at last consented to baptize Him.

16. And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and, lo, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him.

AMBROSE;For, as we have said, when the Savior was washed, then the water was cleansed for our baptism, that a laver might be ministered to time people who were to come. Moreover, it is necessary that in Christ's baptism should be signified those things which the faithful obtain by baptism.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. This action of Christ's has a figurative meaning pertaining to all who were after Him to be baptized; and therefore he says, straightway He ascended, and not simply He ascended, for all who are worthily baptized in Christ, straightway ascend from the water; that is, make progress in virtues, and are carried on towards a heavenly dignity. They who had gone down to the water carnal and sinful sons of Adam, straightway ascend from the water spiritual sons of God. But if some by their own faults make no progress after baptism, what is that to the baptism?

RABANUS;As by the immersion of His body He dedicated the laver of baptism, He has shown that to us also after baptism received the entrance to heaven is open, and the Holy Spirit is given, as it follows, and the heavens were opened.

JEROME. Not by an actual cleaving of the visible element, but to the spiritual eye, as Ezekiel also in the beginning of his book relates that he saw them.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. For had the actual creation of the heavens been opened, he would not have said were opened to Him, for a physical opening would have been open to all. But some one will say, What, are the heavens then closed to the eye of the Son of God, who even when on earth is present in heaven? But it must be known, that as He was baptized according to the ordinance of humanity that He had taken on Him, so the heavens were opened to His sight as to His human nature, though as to His divine He was in heaven.

REMIG. But was this then the first time that the heavens were opened to Him according to His human nature? The faith of the Church both believes and holds that the heavens were no less open to Him before than after. It is therefore said here, that the heavens were opened because to all them who are born again the door of the kingdom of heaven is opened.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. Perhaps there were before some unseen obstacles which hindered the souls of the dead from entering the skies. I suppose that since Adam's sin no soul had mounted the skies, but the heavens were continually closed. When, lo, on Christ's baptism they were again opened; after He had overcome by the Cross the great tyrant death, henceforward the heaven, never more to be closed, needed not gates, so that the Angels say not, 'Open the gates,' for they were open, but take away the gates. Or the heavens are opened to the baptized, and they see those things which are in heaven, not by seeing them with the bodily eye, but by believing with the spiritual eye of faith. Or thus; The heavens are the divine Scriptures, which all read but all do not understand, except they who have been so baptized as to receive the Holy Spirit. Thus the Scriptures of the Prophets were at the first sealed to the Apostles, but after they had received the Holy Spirit, all Scripture was opened to them. However, in whatever way we interpret, the heavens were opened to Him, that is to all, on His account; as if the Emperor were to say to anyone preferring a petition for another, This favor I grant not to him but to you; that is, to him, for your sake.

GLOSS. Or, so bright a glory shone round about Christ, that the blue concave seemed to he actually cloven.

CHRYS. But though you see it not, be not therefore unbelieving, for in the beginnings of spiritual matters sensible visions are always offered, for their sakes who can form no idea of things that have no body; which if they occur not in later times, yet faith may be established by those wonders once wrought.

REMIG. As to all those who by baptism are born again, the door of the kingdom of heaven is opened, so all in baptism receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

AUG. Christ after He had been once born among men, is born a second time in the sacraments, that as we adore Him then born of a pure mother, so we may now receive Him immersed in pure water. His mother brought forth her Son, and is yet virgin; the wave washed Christ, and is holy. Lastly, that Holy Spirit which was present to Him in the womb, now shone round Him in the water, He who then made Mary pure, now sanctifies the waters.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. The Holy Ghost took the likeness of a dove, as being more than other animals susceptible of love. All other forms of righteousness which the servants of God have in truth and verity, the servants of the Devil have in spurious imitation; the love of the Holy Spirit alone an unclean spirit cannot imitate. And the Holy Ghost has therefore reserved to Himself this special manifestation of love, because by no testimony is it so clearly seen where He dwells as by the grace of love.

RABAN. Seven excellencies in the baptized are figured by the dove. The dove has her abode near the rivers, that when the hawk is seen, she may dive under water and escape; she chooses the better grains of corn; she feeds the young of other birds; she does not tear with her beak; she lacks a gall; she has her rest in the caverns of the rocks; for her song she has a plaint. Thus the saints dwell beside the streams of Divine Scripture, that they may escape the assaults of the Devil; they choose wholesome doctrine, and not heretical for their food; they nourish by teaching and example, men who have been the children of the Devil, i. e the imitators; they do not pervert good doctrine by tearing it to pieces as the heretics do; they are without hate irreconcilable; they build their nest in the wounds of Christ's death, which is to them a firm rock, that is their refuge and hope; as others delight in song, so do they in groaning for their sin.

CHRYS. It is moreover an allusion to ancient history; for in the deluge this creature appeared bearing an olive-branch, and tidings of rest to the world. All which things were a type of things to come. For now also a dove appears pointing out to us our liberator, and for an olive-branch bringing the adoption of the human race.

AUG. It is easy to understand how the Holy Ghost should be said to be sent, when as it were a dove in visible shape descended on the Lord; that is, there was created a certain appearance for the time in which the Holy Spirit might be visibly shown. And this operation thus made visible and offered to mortal view, is called the mission of the Holy Spirit, not that His invisible substance was seen, but that the hearts of men might be roused by the external appearance to contemplate the unseen eternity. Yet this creature in the shape of which the Spirit appeared, was not taken into unity of person, as was that human shape taken of the Virgin. For neither did the Spirit bless the dove, nor unite it with Himself for all eternity, in unity of person. Further, though that dove is called the Spirit, so far as to show that in this dove was a manifestation of the Spirit, yet can we not say of the Holy Spirit that He is God and dove, as we say, of the Son that He is God and man; and yet it is not as we say of the Son that He is the Lamb of God, as not only has John Baptist declared, but as John the Evangelist saw the vision of the Lamb slain in the Apocalypse. For this was a prophetic vision, not put before the bodily eyes in bodily shape, but seen in the Spirit in spiritual images. But concerning this dove none ever doubted that it was seen with the bodily eye; not that we say the Spirit is a dove as we say Christ is a rock; (for that Rock was Christ.) For that Rock already existed as a creature, and from the resemblance of its operation was called by the name of Christ, (whom it figured;) not so this dove, which was created at the moment for this single purpose. It seems to me to be more like the flame which appeared to Moses in the bush, or that which the people followed in the wilderness, or to the thunderings and lightings which were when the Law was given from the mount. For all these were visible objects intended to signify something, and then to pass away. For that such forms have been from time to time seen, the Holy Spirit is said to have been sent; but these bodily forms appeared for the time to show what was required, and then ceased to be.

JEROME; It sat on the head of Jesus, that none might suppose the voice of the Father spoken to John, and not to the Lord.

17. And lo a voice from heaven, Saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

AUG. Not as before by Moses and the Prophets, neither in type or figure did the Father teach that the Son should come, but openly showed Him to be already come, This is my Son.

HILARY; Or, that from these things thus fulfilled upon Christ, we might learn that after the washing of water the Holy Spirit also descends on us from the heavenly gates, on us also is shed an unction of heavenly glory, and an adoption to be the sons of God, pronounced by the Father's voice.

JEROME; The mystery of the Trinity is shown in this baptism. The Lord is baptized; the Spirit descends in shape of a dove; the voice of the Father is heard giving testimony to the Son.

AMBROSE; Amid no wonder that the mystery of the Trinity is not wanting to the Lord's laver when even our laver contains the sacrament of the Trinity. The Lord willed to show in His own case what He was after to ordain for men.

PSEUDO-AUG. Though Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one nature, yet do you hold most firmly that They be Three Persons; that it is the Father alone who said, This is my beloved Son; the Son alone over whom that voice of the Father was heard; and the Holy Ghost alone who in the likeness of a clove descended on Christ at His baptism.

AUG. Here are deeds of the whole Trinity. In their own substance indeed Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are One without interval of either place or time; but in my mouth they are three separate words, and cannot be pronounced at the same time, and in written letters they fill each their several places. By this comparison maybe understood how the Trinity in Itself indivisible may be manifested dividedly in the likeness of a visible creation. That the voice is that of the Father only is manifest from the words This is my Son.

HILARY; He witnesses that He is His Son not in name merely, but in very kindred. Sons of God are we many of us; but not as He is a Son, a proper and true Son, in verity, not in estimation, by birth, not adoption.

AUG. The Father loves the Son, but as a father should, not as a master may love a servant; and that as an own Son, not an adopted; therefore He adds, in whom I am well-pleased.

REMIG. Or if it be referred to the human nature of Christ, the sense is, I am pleased in Him, whom alone I have found without sin. Or according to another reading, It has pleased me to appoint Him, by whom to perform those things I would perform, i.e. the redemption of the human race.

AUG. These words Mark and Luke give in the same way; in the words of the voice that came from Heaven, their expression varies though the sense is the same. For both the words as Matthew gives them, This is my beloved son, and as the other two, You are my beloved Son, express the same sense in the speaker; (and the heavenly voice, no doubt, uttered one of these,) but One shows an intention of addressing the testimony thus born to the Son to those who stood by; the other of addressing it to Himself, as if speaking to Christ he had said, This is my Son. Not that Christ was taught what He knew before, but they who stood by heard it, for whose sake the voice came. Again, when one says, in whom I am well-pleased; another, in you it has pleased me, if you ask which of these was actually pronounced by that voice; take which you will, only remembering that those who have not related the same words as were spoken have related the same sense. That God is well-pleased with His Son is signified in the first; that the Father is by the Son pleased with men is conveyed in the second form, in you it has well-pleased me. Or you may understand this to have been the one meaning of all the Evangelists, In you have I put My good pleasure, i.e. to fulfill all My purpose.

Catena Aurea Matthew 3

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The Baptism of Christ

Russian icon

1780

The Russian Icon Museum, Clinton, Massachusetts

[Salvation]

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

“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 mother’s 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 Christ’s 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)

[Salvation]

Jesus Does Not Go into the Water Alone; He Takes Us with Him -- A Reflection on the Baptism of the Lord
Wading in the Troubled Water Saves You, Not Taking a Bridge Over It – A Homily for the Baptism of the Lord

[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

[Salvation]

Information: St. Adrian of Canterbury

Feast Day: January 9

Born: 635 in North Africa

Died: 9 January 710

[Salvation]

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day

St. Julian and St. Basilissa

Feast Day: January 09

St. Julian and St. Basilissa lived in the latter part of the third century. They were husband and wife who took vows of chastity when they got married.

Their love for their Catholic faith led them to do something heroic: they turned their home into a hospital that could house up to 1000 sick people. This way, they could take care of the sick and the poor who had no one to help them.

St. Julian took care of the men, and St. Basilissa cared for the women. The couple found Jesus in the people they served. And they did what they did because of love, not for money or any kind of reward.

St. Basilissa died after suffering great persecutions for the faith. Julian lived much longer. He continued his generous service to sick people even after Basilissa had died. In the year 302, Julian too died a martyr in the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian.

Basilissa and Julian spent their whole lives helping others and serving God. They planted the seed of faith by living in a holy way. They watered that faith and made it grow with the blood they finally shed by giving their lives for Jesus crucified.

[Salvation]

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

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.

[Salvation]

Just got back from a lloooooong meeting.

[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

Christmas: January 9th

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

MASS READINGS

January 09, 2017 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

Almighty ever-living God, who, when Christ had been baptized in the River Jordan and as the Holy Spirit descended upon him, solemnly declared him your beloved Son, grant that your children by adoption, reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, may always be well pleasing to you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Recipes (4)

• Initial Cookies
• Kutia
• Letter banket
• Christ’s Diapers

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Activities (9)

• Activities for the Feast of the Baptism of Christ
• Baptismal Day
• Christmas and the Eucharist
• Family and Friends of Jesus Scrapbook Album
• Making a Baptismal Garment and Candle
• On Celebrating Baptism
• Receive the White Garment
• Renewal of Baptismal Promises
• Sacramental Life in the Home: Baptism

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Prayers (7)

• Christmas Table Blessing 1
• Christmas Table Blessing 2
• Christmas Table Blessing 3
• Christmas Table Blessing 4
• Book of Blessings: Blessing Before and After Meals: Christmas Season (2nd Plan)
• To Jordan's Water
• Book of Blessings: Blessing Before and After Meals: Christmas (1st Plan)

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Library (3)

• Baptism Is Not a Formality | Pope Francis
• Baptism Is the Starting Point of a Lifelong Path to Conversion | Pope Francis
• Feast of the Baptism of the Lord | Pope Benedict XVI

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 Christ’s 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 Lord’s 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 Mary’s 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 Christ’s 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 Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan River, we again encounter and represent the truth of the Lord’s 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 Father’s 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 Lord’s 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 Adam’s 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 mankind’s 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

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Matthew 3:13-17

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. “You’re my son, and I’m proud of you. I’ll be available any time you need me. Keep in touch, and don’t 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 you’re 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

[Salvation]

Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

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.

[Salvation]

Regnum Christi

January 9, 2017 – Jesus’ Humility

The Baptism of the Lord

Father Paul Campbell, LC

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 didn’t do. It’s 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 Father’s 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 Father’s plan, and this plan was the driving force in his life. Pride did not get in the way of Jesus’ obedience. Rather, his Father’s 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 Father’s will, then could pride be subtly at work turning me into my own highest purpose?

3. A Father’s Blessing: Heaven responded to Christ’s obedience. This moment foreshadows the definitive opening of heaven to mankind’s salvation, accomplished through Christ’s 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.

[Salvation]

Homily of the Day

January 10, 2017

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.

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 33, Issue 1

<< Monday, January 9, 2017 >>

Baptism of the Lord

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Acts 10:34-38
View Readings

Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10
Matthew 3:13-17
Similar Reflections

LIVE DAILY YOUR BAPTISM

"Jesus was baptized..." �Matthew 3:16

Baptism forgives and erases our sins (Catechism, 403, 405). Jesus never sinned. So why did He submit to Baptism? "The baptism of Jesus is on His part the acceptance and inauguration of His mission as God's suffering Servant. He allows Himself to be numbered among sinners" (Catechism, 536). In addition, the Father reaffirmed Jesus' Sonship, which was important, since Satan was about to attack His status as God's Son (Mt 4:3ff).

In accepting Baptism, "already [Jesus] is anticipating the 'baptism' of His bloody death. Already He is coming to 'fulfill all righteousness,' that is, He is submitting Himself entirely to His Father's will: out of love He consents to this baptism of death for the remission of our sins" (Catechism, 536). This abandonment delights the Father, Who proclaims Jesus as His beloved Son (Mt 3:17).

God "anointed [Jesus] with the Holy Spirit and power" when He was baptized by John (see Acts 10:37-38). Likewise, we too were anointed. Let us be grateful for our own baptismal calling, which makes us Christians, brothers and sisters of Jesus, sons and daughters of the Most High God, forgiven of all sin, and priests, prophets, and kings by virtue of our Baptism (see Catechism, 1546).

Each day, bury your old, sinful nature and live your new, risen nature with Christ. Live daily your Baptism.

Prayer: Father, I praise You for my Baptism into Your Son Jesus. Thank You forever for adopting me as Your child!

Promise: "I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice."�Is 42:6

Praise: "All of you who have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Him" (Gal 3:27). Praise You, Jesus, beloved Son of the Father!

[Salvation]