These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.

Baptism of the Lord, 2025

After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, 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 beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Lk 3:15-16, 21-22)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011225.cfm
We rarely think about the River Jordan, but it is the longest and most important river. The River Jordan runs through every parish and church in the world, and we have all played in its waters. Today we celebrate not only the Baptism of the Lord, but also our own baptism.