After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:21-22).

Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. What a remarkable thing it is that Our Lord humbled himself to be baptized! St. Catherine of Siena while reflecting on Jesus’s coming as a baby said, “You have come down from the great height of Your divinity to the mire of our humanity…in order that my littleness might see your greatness.” There is nothing he asks of us that he did not do himself. With his baptism comes the life-changing gift of the Holy Spirit and the affirmation of the Father. Again, these are gifts Our Lord planned for us. The sacraments of this amazing Church are made possible through his life, death, and resurrection. As we continue celebrating the life-changing good news of Christ coming to save us, may we truly recognize the joy of our salvation and pass that on to our children. Who are we that the Lord is mindful of us? Extend that same love and mercy to those around you and rejoice that Christ has come!

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for all you have given me and most especially for the gift of your Church and her sacraments and the life-changing gift of the Holy Spirit. Fill my home with your great peace and love and draw my children to yourself. I thank you that the waters of baptism that washed over the Savior of the world are made available to me; I rejoice in your great goodness, most loving God!