Prepare for Mass – January 11, 2009 (1/11/09) – The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
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This Sunday is The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. It marks the end of the Christmas Season.
Gloria In Exclesis Deo. “Glory to God in high heaven”. The greeting of the angels at the birth of Christ. This greeting is an announcement to humanity that the savior of the world has been born. The Word made flesh dwelling among his people. Like us in all ways except sin. Jesus was first made visible to those witnesses in Bethlehem, the angels, the shepherds, the Magi, Mary, and Joseph all gave testimony to his arrival. John’s baptism in the Jordan was that of preparing the way for the manifistation of Jesus.
When Jesus was baptised, God sent down the Holy Spirit descending like a dove proclaiming “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” At that moment, Christ instituted the Sacrament of Baptism, the mysterious way in which we come to meet Jesus for the first time just as those witnesses in Bethlehem at the manger. At baptism, a person is “cleansed from original sin, and incorporated in Christ and made a member of His Body the Church; he is infused with sanctifying grace and receives the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit; and this enables him to receive the other sacraments effectively”. This is precisely why Catholics baptize newborn babies.
Blood, water, and spirit.
1 Jn 5:6-8 This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood. The Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit is truth. So there are three that testify, the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and the three are of one accord.
PRAYER
God of mercy, you wash away our sins in WATER, you give us new birth in the Spirit, and redeem us in the BLOOD of Christ. As we celebrate Christ’s resurrection increase our awareness of these blessings, and renew your gift of life within us.
Videos…
Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling ~ Anne Murray
“Gloria in Excelsis Deo”
Baptism of Jesus Christ
Gospel – Baptism of Christ – Mark 1:7-11
Baptism Ceremony
Glory to God in the Highest
Mary Did You Know