The Baptism of the Lord - January 13, 2019
THIS WEEK’S REFLECTION
The Baptism of the Lord
After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22
Today’s Feast marks the conclusion of the Christmas Season and the beginning of Ordinary Time. It’s a feast of transition from Jesus’ hidden life to that of His public ministry. It also echoes the theme of the Epiphany in that the Baptism of the Lord is another manifestation announcing Jesus’ divinity to all of His first followers and to the disciples of John the Baptist.
First of all, it needs to be pointed out that Jesus did not need the baptism of John. John was baptizing as a call to and sign of interior repentance. Jesus had no need to repent. But, nonetheless, He comes to John. John resists at first but Jesus insists. Why did He receive baptism?
First, by accepting the baptism of John, Jesus affirms all that John has said and done and affirms his sacred role of preparing the way for Jesus and for a new era of grace. Therefore, the Baptism of Jesus acts as a bridge between the Old Testament prophets (of which John was the last) and the New Testament era of grace and truth.
Second, it has been said that when Jesus entered the waters of baptism, He was not baptized by the waters, rather, His Baptism was one in which all the created waters of this world were, in a sense, “baptized” by Him. By entering into the waters, Jesus sanctifies water and pours forth His grace making all water the future source of salvation.
Third, the Baptism of Jesus was an epiphany. It was a moment of manifestation. As He emerged from the waters, “Heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from Heaven, ’You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’” This manifestation of the sonship and divinity of Jesus took place in a physical, audible and visible form so that all present would know, without question, that Jesus was the Son of the Father. Thus, His baptism is a way in which the Father introduces His Son and His Son’s mission to the world.
As we prepare to begin Ordinary Time, reflect, today, upon these words of the Father at the Baptism of Jesus. Hear the Father speaking to You about the divinity of His Son. Turn your eyes to Jesus and prepare yourself to follow Him and to heed every word He speaks. He was sent into this world to draw us to the Father, allow Him to fulfill that mission in your own life.
-MyCathloicLife.com
PRAYER WALK
Bishop Madden’s next Prayer Walk is scheduled for Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 21, at St. Bernardine, beginning at noon. We will gather in the church.
Please note that this walk will be during the day at a different time than usual because of the national holiday. There will be a lite meal and fellowship after the walk in Harcum Hall.
Parish phone number: 410-362-8664. Parish address: 3812 Edmondson Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21229.
VOLUNTEER NEEDED
The Pastoral Council is seeking help from the parish to fill the role of Secretary to record minutes from council meetings. If you are willing to volunteer your time and talent to assist the council please contact the church office (410-235-8169) or see one of the Pastoral Council members. A list of our Pastoral Council Members is located on the front of the bulletin.
THANK YOU
The final count for the “Water For Haiti” Giving Tree Project came to $1,230. Many thanks to our generous families and friends for your contributions to our sisters and brothers in Haiti.
As this endeavor continues with the School Sisters of Notre Dame, donations can still be made if you wish to contribute to help families in Haiti have access to clean water. Checks can be made to SSND with Water Initiative written in the memo line. Donations can be sent to:
The AMSSND Development Office: 345 Belden Hill Rd. Wilton, Ct. 06897-3898
or online: atlanticmidwest.org/donate-today (click on the Haiti Initiative.
MOTHER LANGE AWARDS
The 22nd Annual Mother Mary Lange Awards Banquet will be held on Friday, February 8, 2019 at 7:00 pm at Martin’s West. The event is sponsored by the Office of Black Catholics to honor members of our Black Catholic parishes for leadership, service and youth activity. We take great pride in announcing this year’s awardees from St. Ann’s:
Leadership Award: Dorothy Horton-Brown
Service Award: Rachel Carrenard
The church office is taking orders for tickets for the St. Ann’s tables at the banquet. Tickets are $60 each, The last day tickets can be purchased is this Friday, January 18.
2019 CALENDARS
Thanks to March Funeral Homes for their generous donation of 2019 calendars? This year’s theme is “Community Inspiration” and honors Couples Married 50 Years or Longer. There are still a few more calendars remaining. Please take one.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please also continue to pray for all of our sick and homebound, especially Florence Barber, James Butts, Augustine Christian, Elaine Cousin, Elaine Edmonds, Gregory Epps, John Frederick, Pat Haley, Rita Hardy, Odessa Johnson, Tom Lutz, Josephine McCoy, Penny Palmer, Bernadette Wallace, Nelson Outlaw, Jeannette Rice, Rita Watkins, and ask that God grant them strength, comfort and healing.
JANUARY 2019
Sun., Jan.13 Feast of the Baptism of The
Lord
11 am Mass
Sunday School 9:30 am
2nd Floor Youth Room
Adult Bible Study after Mass
Anchorage
Tues., Jan.15 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday
Thurs., Jan.17 Evening Mass (confession before/after) Bible Study 7-9 pm
Sun., Jan.20 2nd Sunday In Ordinary Time
11 am Mass
Sunday School 9:30 am
2nd Floor Youth Room
Adult Bible Study after Mass
Anchorage
Mon., Jan.21 MLK Day Observed
Tues., Jan.22 Monthly Food Pantry
Anchorage, 10 am – 12 pm
Thurs., Jan.24 Evening Mass (confession before/after) Bible Study 7-9 pm
Sun., Jan.27 3rd Sunday In Ordinary Time
11 am Mass
Sunday School 9:30 am
2nd Floor Youth Room
Adult Bible Study after Mass
Anchorage
Thurs., Jan.31 Evening Mass (confession before/after) Bible Study 7-9 pm
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
1st Reading Isaiah 62:1-5
2nd Reading 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Gospel John 2:1-11