Sunday Gospel for 1/10/21
The Preaching of John the Baptist and The Baptism of the Lord
Mk 1:7-11
This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Baptism: becoming a member of the family
This sacrament of initiation cleanses us from original sin and welcomes us into the family of God. These symbols set the baptized apart from others, outwardly showing
we choose to follow a different way of life:
Water symbolizes rebirth
Oil of chrism marks us as a member of God’s family
White garment symbolizes purity
Candle symbolizes the Light of Christ, turning away from darkness, turning towards a belief in God, Jesus, & Holy Spirit guiding our life. Did you know the tradition of birthday candles stem from the practice of lighting candles on the anniversary of one’s baptism?
Take a moment with your family – take turns baptizing each other: trace the sign of the cross on each others’ foreheads praying "I bless you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
Through baptism, we belong to the communion of saints, a kind of spiritual solidarity linking us with others on earth, souls in purgatory, and saints and holy souls in heaven, all as the Body of Christ, including family members and friends who have passed away.
Baptism marks you as a member of the Catholic Church for life. You cannot revoke your membership, even for those who verbally reject their faith. God is always there, waiting to be invited into your heart, no matter what!
Theology of Baptism
In Baptism, we are connected to a communion/community of saints—our community includes our living faith community and those who have walked faithfully before us.
In Baptism our name is proclaimed to the community, and our beauty as God’s children is celebrated.
In Baptism we are marked with the sign of the cross—we are claimed, loved, marked by God as God’s own—marked and claimed to love as God loves.
In Baptism, through the profession of faith we say no to sin and yes to life and faith in Jesus.
In Baptism, we are immersed into water as a sign of our dying with Christ, and then rising out of the water into new life with Christ. Christ becomes our source of living water, and we are called to become living water for a thirsty world. Through the waters of Baptism we are cleansed of our sins and receive the grace of the Holy Spirit.
In Baptism, oil is a sign of being anointed by the Holy Spirit, our spiritual source of strength, protection, and healing.
In Baptism, the candle lit from the Easter (Paschal) candle and given to the newly baptized symbolizes that Christ has enlightened the baptized person, and in Christ those who are baptized become the “light of the world”.
In Baptism, the newly baptized are given a white garment, which symbolizes that the person baptized has “put on Christ.” The garment is white, reflecting the purity of being cleansed of sin.
Guided Meditation on Baptism
Try this if you are feeling stressed. It may be more calming in low lighting.
Intrapersonal intelligence is the ability to self-reflect and be aware of one's inner state of being. These reflections can help us understand our inner feelings, dreams, relationships with others, and strengths and weaknesses.
1. Place a large bowl of water in center of group.
2. As you lead participants through this activity, pause for adequate reflection
at the end of each paragraph.
3. Before beginning, invite participants to assume a comfortable position, suitable
for meditation.
4. [spoken text]
Close your eyes, take deep breaths and relax. Let go of the world you left behind to be here. Let go of all the pressures, anxieties; put it all in God's hands. Imagine water; clear, clean, sparkling water, flowing everywhere. Abundant water, filling your body and soul, quenching your thirst, soothing your fears, washing away all the pressures, cleansing you, reviving you within and without.
Imagine yourself surrounded by those who love you, splashing in the water together. Feel the cool drops on your face, on your head. You taste the water, so wonderful and refreshing. And you thank God for water, for life, for being renewed, refreshed and restored.
Reflect for a moment on water, as a symbol of life and hope. What images, stories, and memories come to mind as you think of water? Where do you come in contact with water everyday?
Now think of water as a sign, a living symbol for baptism. What does the water mean in baptism? Hear yourself explain to someone else about the significance of the water in baptism. How does the water help renew, refresh and restore you as God's creation and precious child? How is this water life-giving and connected to the power of God's love?
Ask yourself, what does my baptism mean to me today? Remember the times when you affirmed your baptism or felt your baptism being affirmed by God.
Ask yourself, how has my baptism shaped me, who I am, what I do, my relationships that I hold most dear? How has God called you through your baptism? How have you answered?
Thank God for the time in prayer you have just experienced, and when you are ready open your eyes and share your thoughts with your family members.
Source: 52 Sundays, The Pastoral Center, and Fashioning Faith