Thought for the week.

Weekend of 11th/12th January 2020.

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord which we celebrate
this weekend, is the third of the three ‘epiphanies’ or
revelations of Jesus during the Christmas Season: the
first was as the child of Mary, born in Bethlehem; the
second was the declaration of his kingship by the three
wise men from the East. Today, at his Baptism, he is
declared as ‘beloved of the Father’ by the voice from
heaven. In his entering into the waters of the Jordan
River, Jesus is declaring the Baptism of all humanity in
the Holy Spirit.

God gives us the same Holy Spirit who comes to make
all things new. Our Baptism calls us to live in communion
with God and with each other. Baptism is a gift for God
but like any gift it needs to be opened. By our Baptism,
we begin a journey of following in the footsteps of Jesus.
Today is a day for us to commit ourselves to continuing
that journey in the year ahead.