The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Masses:
- Vigil Saturday at 4:30
- Sunday 8AM and 10:15AM
In the Gospel this weekend, the "Call" or "Vocation" of Jesus and John the Baptist are juxtaposed - Calls that are integrally related. Note how John the Baptist recognized his call to the forerunner of Jesus, God's Chosen One. How important it is for us, to recognize and proclaim the presence of Jesus among us. Jesus's call, his mission, is to be the Lamb of God, the one who would take away the sin of the world. In John's account of the Gospel, Jesus accomplishes this through his Death on the cross, at the hour when the Passover lambs were sacrificed. Endowed with God's Holy Spirit, Jesus, the Son of God, baptizes us into the life that is his own. In this, we are chosen, we are called to be his servants.
Reflection for the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time: A gift we may need to acquire is the humility like that of John the Baptist. John had popularity and a large following, but he knew the kingdom to come was not about him. He was but a messenger, baptizing simply, while a strong force was yet to come... In this new civic calendar year, be conscious of your choices and need for accomplishment in this world. Bless yourself with holy water each day this week with a prayer asking that you, too, can willingly submit to the baptism of fire that Jesus provides and follow eagerly in the footsteps of his teachings.
