This Week's Readings

In the rite of Christian initiation, we have Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Listening to this week's readings we've been hearing about John the Baptist's mission to baptize those willing to convert and prepare themselves for the coming messiah. Eight days after Christ was born to Mary and Joseph, they brought him to the temple in Jerusalem, which wasn't far from Bethlehem and presented him for circumcision, the Jewish rite of initiation which comes from the days of Moses. Baptism washes us in the grace of God cleansing our soul of the stain of original sin and brings us into the spiritual life. Administered by a Priest, Deacon, or even a lay person in times of imminent danger, baptism gives us our first meeting with the Holy Spirit.

Christ, baptized in the Jordan by John did not receive baptism out of necessity, but so that the prophecies may be fulfilled and that other's would follow his example. Just as Mary, born without sin, didn't need to purify herself before approaching the temple, but did anyway. John's mission was different than Christ's as mentioned in today's Gospel. John saw himself as "not fit to loose the thongs on his sandals." He told his followers "I baptize with water, but he will come who will baptize with the spirit and fire." Although Christ never baptized the way John did his actions in the upper room at the last supper give us a clue as to what John was foretelling. Culminating in the action of the Holy Spirit resting on the Apostles' heads as tongue's of fire at Pentecost, Christ, being the third person of the Holy Trinity, gave the disciples that 'paraclete', the Holy Spirit, who empowered the Apostles with his gifts of fortitude, wisdom, counsel, understanding, piety, knowledge, and fear of the Lord.

St. Paul remind's tells the Jewish converts to be 'uncircumcised.' That God regarded the empty rituals of the Jews as vile and repulsive to him for they had no love of God even though they practiced what he asked of them. Christ is the new covenant that fulfills all of the previous covenantal claims on man and brings man closer to God through the new covenant. Instituting the Eucharist, Baptism, and Confirmation as the new rites of initiation. We recall what Jesus told Nicodemus, who couldn't understand Christ's analogy "Unless a man be born again..." then he couldn't be saved or live eternally with the Father, therefore requiring baptism in the spirit as preparation for everlasting life.

Let us empty ourselves of all that we are and let Christ reveal himself to us this Christmas season. Let us recall our baptism. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen us and assure us of the salvation we long for. Sing Alleluia!