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1.9.22 Message from Fr. Tony

In today’s Gospel, the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord, the end of the Christmas Season for the Church, Jesus allowed Himself to be baptized by John and the Trinity is revealed when the Father speaks and the Spirit descends upon Jesus.
John preached a baptism of repentance from sin, but Jesus was without sin. So why was Jesus baptized? It was a
testimony of Jesus’ oneness with sinners. That will be the hallmark of His ministry.
He came for sinners like Matthew, Zacchaeus, Mary Magdalene, the repentant thief on the cross, and every one of us.
Whereas John’s baptism ends with repentance, Jesus’ baptism will bring about forgiveness for sinners through His death and resurrection. After Jesus’ resurrection, baptism will be the way to freedom from Original Sin and the reception of the gift of new life and salvation.
In the Sacrament of Baptism, the baby is touched by the priest on the ears and on the lips as he says: “The Lord Jesus
made the deaf hear and the mute speak. May He soon touch your ears to receive His word, and your mouth to proclaim His faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father.”
Remembering our own baptism, let us turn from sin, open our ears to receive His word and our lips to proclaim our
faith. Fr. Tony