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.

Luke 3:15–17; 21–22
Example: Baptized with Spirit and fire v. 16

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, we generally read from the Gospel of Luke.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.