Jan09-Homily-FrJeremy-2022

Baptism of the Lord: Our primary identity?

Father Jeremy Miller: This feast invites us a Catholic Christians to say that no matter how important all the sources of our identity are, that the primary one is that we are united with Christ as beloved sons and daughters of our heavenly father.

Implications for our own spiritual life:

  1. The importance of infant baptism, which has been taken for granted
  2. We are God’s beloved children and with us, he is well pleased

Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
The people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

After all the people had been baptized
and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying,
heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him
in bodily form like a dove.
And a voice came from heaven,
“You are my beloved Son;
with you I am well pleased.”