Catholic Commission for Social Justice
As we reflect on the Gospel Reading today – the Baptism of our Lord by John the Baptist in the River Jordan (Mark 1:7-11), let us reflect on what our own baptism means to us.
Pope Benedict XVI reminded us on October 24, 2012 that: “The basis of our journey of faith is baptism, the sacrament which ‘gifts’ us the Holy Spirit, making us children of God in Christ, and marks our entry into the community of faith, the Church.”
Today, Sunday, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. The word “Epiphany” means “manifestation” or “shining forth”.
There are some truly inspirational words contained in a homily by then Pope Benedict XVI at a Mass on January 6, 2012. He said: “He who is the true light, and by whom we too are made to be light, has indeed come into the world. He gives us the power to become children of God (cf. Jn 1:9,12)…With the Magi, humanity’s pilgrimage to Jesus Christ begins – to the God who was born in a stable, who died on the Cross and who, having risen from the dead, remains with us always, until the consummation of the world (cf. Mt 28:20)… The wise men followed the star… The great star, the true supernova that leads us on, is Christ himself. He is as it were the explosion of God’s love, which causes the great white light of his heart to shine upon the world.”