This weekend we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord by St. John the Baptist. The Baptism of the Lord marks the end of the Christmas season. It is often asked why would Jesus, born without sin, need to be baptized? Pope Benedict sees Jesus’ baptism as an expression of His fundamental submission to the will of the Father and His complete identification with the human condition. By submersion in the waters of the Jordan river, Jesus is seen as one who shows us repentance and forgiveness although He has no need of it. He wants to show through Baptism comes healing, forgiveness and freedom. This weekend we will use an alternate form of the Penitential Rite called the Rite of Sprinkling (asperges). According to the General Instruction on the Roman Missal “From time to time on Sundays . . . Instead of the customary Penitential Act, the blessing and sprinkling of water may take place as a reminder of Baptism.” As you experience the blessing with water this weekend, remind yourself how much you are loved, forgiven and precious in the eyes of Jesus Christ. Fr. Roach
