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Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord,
January 10th, is the feast of the
Baptism of the Lord in the liturgical calendar. It is also the last day
of the Christmas season.
Celebrations of the Lord’s baptism first
appeared in the East. On January 6th,
the date of the winter solstice, the Church commemorated the Epiphany,
or manifestation, of Christ. Unlike the Western Church, which focused
its celebration of the coming of Christ solely on his nativity, the
feast in the Eastern Church recognized three aspects of the revelation
of Jesus as the Son of God: his birth, his baptism by John in the
Jordan, and his first miracle at the wedding feast in Cana.
In Luke’s account of the baptism of
Christ, John begins by announcing that he himself is not the Messiah: "I
baptize you with water, but someone is coming (who) will baptize you
with the Holy Spirit and fire."
Water is still the central symbol in the
celebration of baptism. Water signifies washing. We are weak human
beings, prone to sin. God's mercy and grace alone can wash us clean of
our sinfulness. Because water is essential to all life, the water of
baptism also symbolizes the life-giving grace that sustains those who
have become children of God.
Using the first option given in the Rite
of Baptism of immersing in water, rather than simply pouring water,
allows the symbol to speak more powerfully. As the candidate enters the
waters of the font, he or she goes back into the womb, so to speak, to
be reborn to new life in the Spirit. Immersion also suggests dying and
rising. As Christ died, was buried in the tomb and was raised to new
life, the candidate too goes down into the tomb in baptism, dies to sin
and rises to new life in Christ.
Another important symbol in the
celebration of baptism is the presence of the Christian community which
gathers to welcome a new member. Baptism is not a private family
occasion; it involves incorporation into the Body of Christ, being made
a part of the community of faith. The Rite of Baptism recommends that
baptism be celebrated during Sunday Mass so that the whole community can
be present and, also, to demonstrate clearly the relationship between
baptism and Eucharist.
Oil is used twice in baptism. First the
breast is smeared with the oil of catechumens as a sign of healing and
strengthening. Afterwards the head is anointed with perfumed chrism as a
sign of gladness and thanksgiving. The white garment with which the
newly baptized is then clothed symbolizes being enveloped by Christ and
is "the outward sign of Christian dignity".
A baptismal candle is lit from the
paschal candle beside the font and presented to the new member as an
image of the light of Christ. It is to be "kept burning brightly" and
lit again on significant anniversaries and sacramental moments. In the
opening prayer of Mass today we ask God to help us remain true to our
baptismal commitment: "Keep us, your children born of water and the
Spirit, faithful to our calling".
It is our common baptism that makes us
one in Christ and part of God’s family. As we celebrate fifty years of
Faith-Family-Fellowship let us continue to ask God for the grace
and strength to remain His faithful Sons and Daughters. May the Lord
Bless our St. Kieran Parish family during this anniversary year and
beyond.
Let give our hearts and Minds to the
Lord this Christmas Season!-
Fr. Joe
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