ON THIS 16TH AND LAST DAY OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON FOR 2011, WE FOCUS AS CATHOLIC-CHRISTIANS ON THE FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD...........

Our two weeks, two days, and eight hours, of Christmas Celebratiion honoring the Nativity of the Christ Child in Bethlehem of Judea, in Israel, over two thousand years ago, comes to a conclusion on this Sunday January 9, 2011, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.  We remember on this final day of commemorating the Holy Birth of God's Co-Eternal and Redeeming Son, into the World as Lord and Savior, of All Believers, the Mission and Ministry it led Him to embrace.  Jesus on the Last Day of Christmas is presented as an adult, 30 years old, who approaches His heralding cousin, John the Baptist, asking to be baptized by John.  Although Christ is the Sinless Man and the Perfect Expiation for the Forgiveness of Sins, He insisted on receiving Baptism to exemplify the power of Baptism in our lives.  The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is also the day we liturgical zero in on the beginning of Jesus' three year Public Ministry, as He called Apostles and grew  a band of followers, who would become His first Disciples, the seeds of the Church He founded.  Thirdly, this closing Feast of the Christmas Season leads to the unfolding of the Miracles and Signs Jesus performed during His Public Ministry, initiated by his changing Water into Wine, at the Wedding Feast in Cana, of Galilee.  Today, is also an excellent day to recall our own Baptisms.  Most, if not all Catholic-Christians, know and in ways small and large - celebrate our Birthdays.  But how many of us remember or celebrate the second most important date in our lives, our Baptismal Day ?  If our Salvation is the central reality of who we are called and redeemed to be, then commemorating the day we were baptized and became  Disciples of Jesus the Christ, is equally, if not greater, a day to celebrate as our birthdays.  If it has not been your family custom to celebrate baptismal or saints feast days, which are a vital part of your history, - then decide to do so, by researching your family files, Baptismal Certificates,  or looking for the information in your Family Bible.  Contacting your Church of Baptism, is another way you can arrive at the information regarding your Baptism.  I was baptized at St. Rose's Church, in South Sacramento on May 18, 1957.  From then until 2002, I received six of the seven Sacraments of the Church in the month of May, as my First Penance, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick, have all taken place on different dates, during the month of May.  As you and your families and all our fellow believers enter and mark today's Feast and this Last Day of Christmas for this year, may the spirit of Messiah, whose Coming enlightens and transforms our lives, remain with you as you proceed into the totality of 2011 A.D., as we seek to serve God's Greater Glory and the Common Good of All...........Fr.  Troy