How are the New Year’s Resolutions going? I hope the one to pray a little more is one of the ones you are keeping. We really need to ask the Prince of Peace for peace in our time.
Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. This Feast marks the end of the Liturgical Christmas season, even though some folks keep Christmas in mind until February 2, The Presentation of the Lord.
Our first reading from the Prophet Isaiah tells us of the gentleness of the Chosen One of God. As Christians we see him as Jesus. He is “a covenant of the people, 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.” He is the light of the world!
In our Gospel today we have the Baptism of Jesus. His baptism, which is the start of his public ministry, is also a theophany. John wants Jesus to baptize him but Jesus tells John to baptize him and when he does we have the manifestation of God. “After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” This is the Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!
In our second reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we have Peter telling of this event and how Jesus then “went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” We need to follow the instructions in the Responsorial Psalm: “Give to the Lord, you sons (daughters) of God, give to the Lord glory and praise.”
Let us continue to pray for peace in the world. Let us also pray for vocations to the church. Let us pray for the sick of the parish. Let us pray that all will come to respect life. Let us pray for one another and for the canonization of Father Tolton. Let us also pray for those who are victims of sexual abuse and mass shootings.
A Venerable Father Tolton Prayer: Father in Heaven, the Venerable Father Tolton’s suffering service sheds light upon our sorrows; we see them through the prism of your Son’s passion and death. If it be your Will, O God, glorify your servant Father Tolton, by granting the favor I now request through his intercession (mention your request) so that all may know the goodness of this priest whose memory looms large in the Church he loved. Complete what you have begun in us that we might work for the fulfillment of your kingdom. Not to us the glory, but glory to you O God, through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are our God, living and reigning forever and ever. Amen.