THE LAST DAY OF CHRISTMAS : CELEBRATING THE FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD AND OUR BAPTISM IN CHRIST JESUS..........

For the past seventeen days as Catholic-Christian Disciples we have celebrated our solemnity of Christmas, the Holy Birth of Jesus Christ, God's Co-Eternal Son, who was born into the world to reconcile the Divine and Humankind and to redeem all peoples from the power of sin and death, for our salvation. On this last day of Christmas we liturgically celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Jesus the Christ, God's Son, the Sinless Man, presented Himself for baptism by John at the Jordan River, to show us the way to follow Him and commit our lives to faithfully and fervently build up the coming of the Kingdom of God. Celebrating the Lord Jesus' Baptism, which led to the three years of His Public Ministry, is another reminder to us of our Baptismal Promises and the Call to Ministry, as well as Prayer and Worship, in our ongoing journey of life and faith. Presiding at Sacred Heart Church's 9:30 am Mass this morning I experienced Music Director Dr. Don Kendrick's newest parish men's choir, "Vox Nova", (New Voice) a splendid combination of 21 male voices of Sacred Heart parishioners, who he has transformed into a wonderful blend of classic music ministers. My Sacramento State Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity brother, Patrick McGiff, is a member of Vox Nova, and conversed with me in the sacristy before Mass, and in the narthex after Mass. I also introduced myself and met the parish music ministers, "Schola Cantorum", Sacred Heart's renowned Choir of many years, under Dr. Kendrick's direction. The Lord's Baptism is a reminder to us that Jesus is the Heavenly Father's pleasing Son, because He did what was required of Him. Jesus accepted the challenge of taking on human flesh, submitted to the sacrifice of being offered up for sins, and was spiritually transformed in obedience to the Father to become the Lamb of God, who is our Lord and Savior. As you acknowledge and affirm your own Baptism anew today and during this week, what will you do to meet the challenge of discipleship, as you make the sacrifice required of you and undergo the spiritual transformation necessary to fulfill your Baptismal Promises ? God's Word and Eucharist and your own prayer, worship and ministry, will allow them to unfold as God intends, as you and I strive to be ever better followers of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior. Alleluia Amen !!!!!!!!!!..........Happy Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Baptism of the Lord, As You Embrace Your Baptism in Living Faith..........Fr. Troy