Reflection for Friday Before Epiphany 

Today's WORD of GOD 

Mark 1: 7-11    

And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with[a] water, but he will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit.” 

The Baptism and Testing of Jesus 

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.  Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 



Meditation on the Word of God 

The Baptism from John was a Very Important Event in the Life of JESUS because 

 It was a Moment of HIS Identification with Us Sinners; 

It was a Moment of Conviction about HIS Identity & Mission: that JESUS is the Son of GOD & HIS Mission is to Preach the Good News of GOD'S Love & Salvation & to Atone for Our Sins by becoming the “Suffering Servant”; 

 It was a Moment of Equipment: the HOLY SPIRIT Equipped JESUS by Descending on HIM in the Form of Dove, Giving HIM the Power of Preaching & Healing;  

4) It was a Moment of Decision to Begin Public Ministry at the most Opportune Time after Receiving the Approval of HIS Heavenly FATHER as HIS Beloved Son.

The Baptism of JESUS Reminds Us of Our Identity. It Reminds Us of Who We are & Whose We are. By Our Baptism We Become Sons & Daughters of GOD, Members of GOD'S Family, Brothers & Sisters of JESUS, Members of HIS CHURCH, Heirs of Heaven & Temples of the HOLY SPIRIT. 

JESUS' Baptism Reminds Us also of Our Mission: 

To Experience the Presence of GOD Within Us, to Acknowledge Our Own Dignity as GOD'S Children, & to Appreciate the Divine Presence in Others by Honouring Them, Loving

Them & Serving Them in All Humility; 

To Live as the Children of GOD in Thought, Word, & Action; 

To Lead a Holy & Transparent Christian Life, & Not to Desecrate Our Bodies (the Temples of the HOLY SPIRIT & Members of JESUS' Body) by Impurity, Injustice, Intolerance, Jealousy, or Hatred; 

To Accept Both the Good & the Bad Experiences of Life as the Gifts of a Loving Heavenly FATHER for Our Growth in Holiness; 

To Grow Daily in Intimacy with GOD by Personal & Family Prayers, by Meditative Reading of the WORD of GOD, by Participating in the Holy Mass, & by Frequenting the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

 It is a Day to Thank GOD for the Graces We have Received in Baptism, to Renew Our Baptismal Promises, & to Preach CHRIST'S “Good News” by Our Transparent Christian Lives of Love, Mercy, Service, & Forgiveness. 

GOD BLESS YOU

Good morning. Have a nice day