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.

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD, January 10

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee 
and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open 
and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens, 
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
(Mk 1:7-11)

The Baptism of the Lord marks the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus in the synoptic gospels: Mark, Matthew and Luke. In the current liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus marks the end of the Christmas Season. The revelation of Jesus as the Beloved Son connects with our own baptism in which we become the dear children of God. The photo today is from the Church of the Holy Spirit in Cuernavaca, Mexico.