In our Gospel today we hear about Jesus’ call of Andrew, Simon, James, and John to become His Disciple and follow him, just as he calls you and I as well. And although it most likely is a story familiar to all of us, if we take time to ponder it, there is a lot we can learn. Each time we hear it, it should convict us to a radical lifestyle change- just as it did for the disciples Andrew, Simon, James, and John. However, in order to understand the full weight of the ‘calling’ which we hear in today’s Gospel from Mark, we need to remind ourselves of the Gospel last week from John.
READ MOREToday we celebrate the fact that Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River and God is revealed as the Trinity, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The question has been asked, if Jesus is the Son of God and is without sin, then why was he baptized? I am sure you have thought about this…. I know I used to. The Early Church Fathers answered that question by saying that Jesus was not made holy by the baptismal waters but rather Jesus made the waters of baptism holy. Jesus was baptized in order to make every baptism thereafter effective. When we think about the effects of baptism we most likely think first of the forgiveness of sin and the second thing that comes to mind is becoming a child of God as a member of the Body of Christ.
READ MOREToday is the last Sunday of the Christmas season. Next week we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord which is fitting as it is the beginning of Ordinary Time, I say it is fitting because the Sacrament of baptism is the start of our life in Christ.
Today’s celebration is the Epiphany of the Lord. Epiphany means manifestation. We celebrate the amazing gift of God who reveals himself, or manifests himself in Jesus Christ. God, who becomes human, is manifested to all the nations.
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