Baptism of the Lord

IS 42:1-4, 6-7 | ACTS 10:34-38 | MT 3:13-17

Gospel:

Homily:

Discussion Questions

1. 1. Do you know when and where you were baptized or any of the details of your baptism?
      What do you think of the Jewish myth discussed?
   2. When has it been the easiest to remember that you are the Beloved of God? When is it the most difficult?
   3. Is it easier to tell others that they are the Beloved of God than it is to tell yourself?
   4. How do you live your identity as a Beloved of God in your everyday life?
   5. How are you being sent today? How would you like to live your identity the future?

Join The Conversation

You’re invited to discuss this message with a small group at one of our Homily Connect Groups. Sign up here.

Henri Nouwen

You are sent into this world to believe in yourself as God’s chosen one and then to help your brothers and sisters know that they are Beloved Sons and Daughters of God who belong together. You are sent into this word to be people of reconciliation and to heal and break down the walls between you and your neighbors. Before all distinctions, separations and walls built on foundations of fear, there was a unity in the mind and heart of God. Out of that unity, you are sent into this world for a little while to claim that you and every human being belong to the same God of Love who lives from eternity to eternity.

Attitude/Heart Change: To accept my dignity as a Beloved Son /Daughter of God

Action/life Change: To find opportunities in my everyday life to share in the priesthood of Jesus by being his hands, feet, and voice in the world.

Jewish Myth
The infant in the womb of his or her mother is fully aware of the mysteries of God’s overwhelming goodness. At the moment of birth, an angel reaches down and removes the knowledge of all that is good, beautiful and true. The angel touches the child creates a “lack and a desire” leaving that little indentation on the upper lip of every human person.

Do You Believe
God spoke over you in your mother’s womb saying, “You are my beloved son, you are my beloved daughter. I am well pleased with you!” Question: Has growing to adulthood distanced you from those beautiful words of affirmation?

Baptism

• Is the sacrament that joins you intimately to God
• Bestows on you a dignity that can never be taken away
• Conforms you to the person of Jesus
• Brands you with the seal of the Holy Spirit

Second Vatican Council

• Defines the Church as the People of God
• We all share in the priesthood of Jesus

Pope Francis: Suggests the Church exists as an inverted pyramid with the People of God at the top. “The word minister is related to the word minus so the Pope, Bishops, Priests do nor lord power over the people but are always at the service of the People of God, no one can be raised up higher than others. Each person must lower themselves so as to serve others along the way.