This Sunday is the official end of the Christmas season in the church, and we will return to Ordinary Time, which remember it is isn't really ordinary it's just a little more quiet. This is the time we should focus on ourselves when there isn't so much business and hype, it's time to calm ourselves before Lent begins which is 6 weeks from today. Yes, that right 6 weeks! Fr. Mark came into my office on Monday and he started to mention it and I politely asked for him to give me until Monday until we start talking about lent. I told him he couldn’t use the "L" word until next week, he thought it was kind of funny.
This weekend is The Baptism of the Lord and it has historically been associated with the celebration of Epiphany. Even today, the Eastern Christian feast of Theophany, celebrated on January 6 as a counterpart to the Western feast of Epiphany, focuses primarily on the Baptism of the Lord as the revelation of God to man. After the Nativity of Christ (Christmas) was separated from Epiphany, the Church in the West continued the process and dedicated a celebration to each of the major epiphanies (revelations) or theophanies (the revelation of God to man). There was the Birth of Christ at Christmas, which revealed Christ to Israel; the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles, in the visit of the Wise Men at Epiphany; the Baptism of the Lord, which revealed the Trinity; and the miracle at the wedding at Cana, which revealed Christ's transformation of the world. Thus, the Baptism of the Lord began to be celebrated on the octave (eighth day) of Epiphany, with the miracle at Cana celebrated on the Sunday after that. In the current liturgical calendar, the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on the Sunday after January 6, and, a week later, on the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, we hear the Gospel of the Wedding at Cana. This week may be a good time to pull out pictures, garments, candles and anything else from your child's baptism. Explain why you chose to have your child baptized as well as why you chose their Godparents.
Baptism of Jesus Feast Day Quick Facts
Jesus was baptized as an adult (30 years old) St. John the Baptist baptized him The baptism is often depicted with the pouring of water by a shell He was baptized in the river Jordan The heavens opened and the Holy Spirt descended like a dove Voice came from heaven saying “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
Jesus’ baptism is considered the beginning of his public ministry Directly following his baptism is when he was led to the desert where he was tempted for 40 days (what our season of Lent is based on). It is a common misconception that these 40 days happened right before Jesus returns to Jerusalem for Palm Sunday, but it’s not.
Common symbols of baptism: water, dove, shell, candle
Here are a few simple Baptism Of The Lord Celebration Ideas
The baptism of the Lord is the first Luminous mystery of the rosary, so you could celebrate by praying the Luminous mysteries of the rosary, or at least 1 decade (This would be acceptable for Spiritual Hour requirements for Confirmation Candidates) Bring out the family’s baptism candles and renew your own baptismal promises together at dinner Use holy water to bless yourselves and your home
