January 13, 2019 Sunday THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD-C

Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

Psalm 104

Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7

Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

…heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him… Lk. 3:22

Lord, what a privilege and honor for those people along the banks of the Jordan when you were baptized by John.  You had the appearance of an ordinary man about 30 years old.  At this point you hadn’t performed any miracles, driven out any demons or preached the good news to the poor.  You were an ordinary person in line to be baptized.  Then the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove hovered over you while you stood in the waters of the Jordan.  The heavens opened and a voice proclaimed you as the pleasing Son of God.  The Holy Trinity was present; Father, Son and Spirit, all together for the first time on earth.  Everything changed for you from that time on.  Lord, the Holy Trinity was present at my Baptism too.  I am a beloved child of God who has been anointed as a priest, a prophet and a king.  The heavens opened for me too that day and I received the grace of God to be a member of his body on earth.  Nothing has been the same for me since.  May I live to please the Father like you did.  Amen.