St. Mary's Catholic Church of Tomahawk, WI

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We begin the first week of the ordinary season in the liturgical year with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. There are options in the readings. The first option of the first reading speaks of a series of commands by God. “Comfort, give comfort, speak tenderly, and proclaim”. How do we respond to these commands as it is our task to comfort, speak and proclaim the message of God? The second option says that the emissary of God brings justice to the world and his arrival will be highly anticipated awaiting his teaching. Jesus is that chosen and anointed emissary sent to establish God’s loving justice through mercy and compassion.

The first option of the second reading invites us to live temperately, justly and devoutly as we are saved by the Lord
through the rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. As baptized Catholics, how do we respond to this invitation? The second option tells us that God shows no partiality in bestowing His message of salvation upon all people. People of all nations around the world are acceptable to God, the ones who fear Him and act uprightly.

The Gospel has two parts. The first is about baptism by John and the second is about the baptism of the Lord. John baptizes with water and Jesus baptizes with fire and Holy Spirit. The heavenly Father declares Jesus as His Beloved Son. Through our baptism we are called to obey God, to fear Him, and to live uprightly as God’s children with a sincere change of heart.

Fr. Aloysius Royan Anthony