Dear Sisters and Brothers in Faith:
Today we stand on the threshold between the two
great seasons of the Church year. Advent/Christmas,
and Lent/Easter. We conclude our Christmas season
celebration today, but this also marks the beginning of
Ordinary Time—the time between Advent/Christmas
and Lent/Easter. Perhaps this symbolism is meant to
remind us that we are called to look outward—that
because of our Baptism it is not enough to just bask in
the glow of Christmas. We must bring Christ to the
rest of the world.
How are we to do this? I believe it is as much through
the way we live out our Baptismal Promises as any-
thing else. Ask yourself, when people meet me in pub-
lic, do they come to believe that I am a Christian?
When people listen to me speak, whether it is to them
or someone else nearby, do they get the feeling I am
a Christian? When people observe me relating to my
family members, friends, co-workers, do they come to
the conclusion that I am a Christian?
During this Christmas season we have been hearing
the First letter of John proclaimed at Mass. Over and
over John has urged us to love one another as Christ
has loved us. If we are living out our Baptismal Prom-
ises as we should, the answers to those questions
posed above should always be, “Yes!”
Today’s readings at Mass take us on a mini-excursion
through Advent/Christmas and deposit us at the onset
of Ordinary Time. The reading from the Book of the
Prophet Isaiah recalls the Advent message of comfort
and hope. Saint Paul’s Letter to Titus proclaims that
the grace of God has indeed appeared on earth. And
Luke tells us of the adult Jesus being baptized by
John, now ready for his mission and affirmed by the
very voice of God. As we read or listen to these words
from scripture, we can recall our own Baptismal Prom-
ises and prepare for whatever God will ask us to do
next.
I hope you have a Christ-filled week!
St. Vincent de Paul, pray for us!
May the Holy Spirit always be with you.
Deacon Mike