This has been quite a week and that is an understatement. I'm sure that most of you at least saw on the news the Trump supporters attacking the Capitol in DC. I studied theology in DC way back in 1965 - 1968. One of the joys and advantages of Holy Cross having our theology house there was being close to the functions and national monuments. It was a long time ago but I did visit the Capitol Building on occasion and was in awe of the goings on there. I was also there when Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated and I watched part of the city burn. Let us pray for a peaceful transfer of power and for peace for our whole country. Let us also pray for an end to the pandemic, as the number of deaths from the virus soar.
We still continue to have Sunday Masses at 8:15 and 10:30 AM. We still wear masks and keep social distance and sanitize our hands. If you are ill, please stay home. The Bishop's dispensation from Sunday Mass is still in effect. I know most of you are not coming to Mass, but the 2021 Envelopes and Calendars are available in the foyer of the church. You can pick them up, whenever the church is open. I am in my office most mornings. The church is open during the Masses and the Soup Kitchen is open MWF most of the morning until 12:30 PM.
This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This celebration brings the Christmas Season to a close and marks the start of Jesus' public ministry. In our first reading the Prophet Isaiah tells us about the Messiah. "Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations. I, the Lord have called you for the victory of justice, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness." In our second reading from Acts of the Apostles, Peter tells us: "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him." In today's Gospel Mark tells us about Jesus' Baptism. He was baptized in the Jordan by John the Baptist. "On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, 'You are my beloved Son; with whom I am well pleased.'" Through Baptism we are all sons and daughters of God as well as brothers and sisters to Jesus. When we live as God wants us to, God is well pleased in us as well!