"Beads of Joy" by RosaryManJim: Baptism of The Lord

BEADS OF JOY 01-13-19

“Baptism of The Lord”

My Friends,

Today’s Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 (The Baptism of Jesus)

“As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the 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 Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

Reflection:

Why did Jesus who is without sin, have John baptize Him? I was always curious about that myself, what I found was, His baptism was not about sin, Jesus is sinless, it was really about His death on the cross. He wanted Himself to be considered like one of the sinners, submitting Himself fully to God's will. Today we celebrate The Feast of The Baptism of Jesus, as you read in Luke 3:15-16, 21-22. After today's study I have a few questions pondering around. Do I want my life to be a bright light, sharing and showing His love, grace and power to all? and Do I really submit to God in my life like I should?

John the Baptist said in verse 16, "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." What does it mean for Jesus to baptize us with fire? really whatever does that mean? I got to thinking the same thing. But look at the overall content. I see the trinity, Jesus we know is the Son, the Holy Spirit is just that, the Holy Spirit and fire could easily represent God, the Father. So, looking at that verse now I see that we will be baptized in, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Through God's grace and will for us, John the Baptist was introducing The Holy Trinity to us. It is through God's fire that we are cleansed before Him. What a truly spectacular exciting find once again in my studies.

Death is the only thing that can possibly release us from the power of our own sins. We can't physically die for our own sins, only Jesus can. So, in order for that to happen for us while we are still alive, Jesus died that death for us and He buried those sins for us. So, since the baptism of Jesus was a foreshadowing of His death on the cross, hence death to our sins. At Jesus' baptism our sins are put to death. Round and round she goes... lol, hope all that made some sort of sense. This has been a fun study indeed on a most joyous day that we celebrate before the Eucharist.

How can we live a life that is pleasing to Him? How can we show our love and devotion to Him for all He has done for us? Jesus paid the ultimate price for us by dying on the cross. Let us not let His death be in vain. Let us live a life that shares and shines His love to all. We do live in a wicked world no doubt, but I think in today's world because there is so much more evil and hatred towards God, we can shine all the more for Christ. I'm 54 years old and looking back I can see how little by little our society has deteriorated and decreased in overall value and how morality in general has been trashed. We need to be the light in the world, the world needs us now more than ever.

Stay loyal to Jesus, let your life so shine for Him.

Pondering these thoughts today: I have this one memory, maybe not directly related, I just need to share this one; the excitement about my faith is always so alive inside me, to this day. Back from 1983-1995ish I was deeply involved with 3 weekly prayer groups. I made so many new friends and I began my Rosary Ministry. Well, one friend (can’t remember his name, I think it was Don), I use to drive him home after all these meetings and we talked a lot. I still remember him asking me, “Jim, what are you going to do with your life, when you are done sharing your faith and the rosary?” I was like, “Done? I will never ever be done. My faith is my life, a thousand years won’t be enough!” He was like, “Oh, Ok, so you’re really into this then.” I was taken by his words, “Into this? Our faith is our life, our future, our everything.” Wow, I haven’t thought of that conversation in decades, but it sure feels amazing re-living that experience.

Jesus is Baptized by John

The Baptism of the Lord

Homily by Bishop Robert Barron

The Baptism of Jesus

w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

Today is Sunday: We pray the Glorious Mysteries:

The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection (Faith) –Mark 16:1-8
2. The Ascension (Hope) –Luke 24:50-53
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Love) –Acts 2:1-4
4. Assumption of Mary (Grace of a Happy Death) –Rev 12:1-6
5. Coronation of Mary (Mary’s intercession) –Judith 15:9-10

Glory and Honor and Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ!