Scripture Readings: Isaiah 42: 1-4,6-7 Acts 10: 34-48 Matthew 3: 13-17
Last Weekend – I ended my Homily by saying:
Every weekend at the end of Mass, we are sent forth into the world to bring the light of Christ to the world and allow the light of Christ to illumine all we are, all we say, and all we do — Until next weekend when God gathers us together again.
And 7 days (167 Hours) later…we are back! Hopefully eager:
- to hear what God has to share with us through the scriptures.
- to be nourished by our God for the lives we live daily through the Eucharist.
On this Feast of The Baptism of the Lord, we are reminded that the Baptism of Jesus marked the beginning of his public ministry as he began to preach and teach and heal:
- Speaking about the Kingdom of God and living what God his Father called him to do.
- Bringing God’s peace and justice, God’s love and mercy to the people, to all, especially the sick, the marginalized, the oppressed, the forgotten.
Our Baptisms are about sharing in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Our Baptisms are about our growing in love of God and His people; and being Jesus’ disciples in the world of today.
Our Baptisms are about our being the Church of Jesus Christ in this time & place.
As soon to be Saint – Pope John the 23rd used to say at the end of his day: “It’s your church, Lord, I’m going to bed.
A few months ago, Richard Putorti, our 10:30 Sunday Morning Music Ensemble Director challenged all of us in these pews when he said:
“Don’t Go to Church….Be the Church.”
How are we doing?
How have we changed for the better in the past few months?
How have we allowed the Spirit of God to guide us in our lives as person and person of faith, in being Church.
You know it takes effort, it takes sacrifice at times, not only to go to church, but especially to BE Church.
- Being Church calls us to be different at times, to live the Gospel, to love God and others is not only different at times, but challenging. (Yet God walks with us in our journey, I think we need to remember that at times… to become more conscious of that reality)
- Being Church means having a place for God in our lives, not just at Sunday Mass, but daily in all we are and with all we interact with.
- Being Church means making a place for everyone at the table, the table of life, the table of faith.
- Being Church means working with others to make a difference: at home, at work, at school, in our communities, in our Parish.
- Being Church means, at times, going places where we have never gone before in life and in ministry…
- Being Church means we are part of a GROWING movement of GROWING disciples who are gathering more people, who are not disciples, to become disciples. (Boy that’s worth saying again…That’s worth writing in your Mass journal…as a matter of fact within the next several months we will begin to post my weekend homilies on our website…just in case you missed something)
How are we part of this growing movement?
Do we want to be part of a growing movement?
I heard this past week that an Evangelical Church in our area has added another service because they did not have enough room at their two Sunday Services. (And who are these new member? In most cases: Catholics)
- Being Church means not getting in the way of the Holy Spirit, not getting in the way of God’s plan for “HIS CHURCH,” for “HIS PEOPLE,” for YOU — for US — for ALL.
- Being Church is a work in progress for all of us: God’s Beloved!
Who will again this weekend – be sent forth into the world to bring the light of Christ to the world and allow the light of Christ to illumine: all we are, all we say and all we do — Until next weekend when God gathers us together again.