February 22, 2015
First Sunday of Lent
What is Lent is about: fasting, prayer, almsgiving, sacrifice, repentance? Yes - but don’t forget baptism, our own baptism and those preparing to be baptized during the Easter Vigil! The baptism of Jesus gives context to our Gospel today. St. Mark, the evangelist, relates how Jesus leaves Nazareth in Galilee and goes to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. Coming up from the water, Jesus sees the heavens open and the Spirit descend like a dove. From the heavens, Jesus hears: “You are my son, my beloved. With you I am well pleased.†Immediately after the baptism Jesus is led into the desert by the Spirit. Jesus goes into the desert to reflect upon the meaning of his baptism and the words of his heavenly Father. What does it mean to be “beloved†by the Father? How will Jesus live his baptism? Satan is there to tempt Jesus (i.e. to mislead him) but Jesus will remain faithful. When Herod arrests John the Baptist, Jesus returns to Galilee and begins his public ministry by announcing: “The Kingdom of God is at hand. Now is the time of fulfillment. Repent and believe in the Gospel.†Lent is a special time for us to reflect on the meaning of our baptism. How will we live as beloved adopted sons and daughters? Will we live with integrity and fidelity? Today, we send Taylor, a catechumen, to St. Joseph Cathedral where Bishop Malone will count him among the elect who are preparing for baptism. Baptism is immersion in the waters of life and into the mystery of God. Lent reminds us that baptism is a lifelong journey of living the faith.
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Ash Wednesday
Next:
2nd Sunday of Lent
