Our Baptism, the Beginning of our Ministry

While the world has moved well past Christmas, we the Church still celebrates Christmas today. Christmas time ends with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The Gospel tells us of Jesus’ baptism by his cousin, John the Baptist. From the heavens a voice is heard to say: “This is my beloved Son.” This is another of our celebrations of manifestation which Christmas is all about. During the Christmas Season the Church celebrates the many ways Jesus has appeared to us as God.

Jesus is revealed to us as the Light of the World who must be made known and recognized. He is the teacher, the savior who heals, the miracle worker who has authority over heaven and earth. He came in power and compassion to comfort.

A light cannot be hidden under a bushel basket. Those of us who minister in the name of Jesus announce the good news of his kingdom to our world today. By our own baptism we are made lights to our present day world. Just as Jesus began his public ministry doing the work of God after his baptism, so too after our own baptism we are entrusted with the public ministry of Jesus doing the work of God.

As unique gifts of God endowed with different gifts and talents we all have something to offer our world. In our own parish as well as our community there is always a need to be filled. As we celebrate Jesus’ baptism and our own, perhaps we could give some thought about how we may serve our parish community. We always have need of Altar Servers, Choir Members, Eucharistic Ministers, Greeters, Lectors and Ushers to serve our Masses. As well we could benefit from additional expertise on our parish committees: Finance/ Restoration, Parish Life, Liturgy-Music, Formation/Religious Education, Historical Society and Garden Society. Please consider what you may be able to do to assist our parish and parishioners.

Msgr. Manganello