Francesco Mochi “The Baptism of Christ” 1634
Marble, height: 315 cm Palazzo Braschi, Rome
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Sunday, January 13, 2012
The Baptism of the Lord
Luke 3:15-17;21-22
The early church found three Epiphanies of the Lord, contemplated this year on the first three Sundays of the New Year: The Magi, last week; The Baptism of the Lord, today; The Marriage Feast at Cana, next week.
In his baptism, Jesus begins the public ministry, taking on our sinful condition that needs to be washed clean. He descends into water as a sign of his death, rising and looking heavenward, in an anticipation of the resurrection.
Jesus takes us beyond water into the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. As you pray this passage, surrender to the power of the Spirit to have you descend into the waters of your chaos, which threaten to drown you, and watch the waters become sacrament of resurrection for you. Look how God turns death-bound attacks against you into steppingstones toward life.
The Reading for Today
Version for Children and Families
This is the Second Week in Epiphany, Year C.
See “Solar and Sacred Seasons” in the menu above.
Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from
The Revised Common Lectionary.
Year C is dedicated to the Gospel of St. Luke.
