The Baptism of Jesus: Matthew 3:13-17

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were open, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Meditation: God in his almighty providence chose St. John to precede Christ, to prepare the Savior’s way. John in fulfilling his mission was a very striking character. The Sacred Scriptures tell us that he was dressed in a garment of camel hair and that he ate locusts and wild honey. This manner of life was in imitation of the great prophets of the Old Testament.

Finally in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Ceasar the word of God came to St. John in the desert. John went forth into the region of the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John is called the “Precursor of the Lord,” going before the Lord to prepare his way. In the preaching of the Baptist every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill be made level. Many mountains and valleys still obstruct our path to Christ. There is a chasm of indifference that needs to be filled. Only our Savior Jesus Christ, who took upon himself the sins of the world, can fill the mountains of pride and the valleys of selfishness that plague our lives.

When Jesus was baptized by St. John, our Lord was anticipating his own bloody baptism on the cross for our sins. Truly Christ was God the Father’s Suffering Servant. We are called by our baptism to imitate the life of Christ. As St. Gregory Nazianzus wrote, “Let us be buried with Christ by Baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him.”

As God the Father so well reminds us today, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. May we truly listen to the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Lord, open my heart and my mind to the saving mystery of Jesus Christ. May the good work begun at my baptism come to completion in the ever-lasting life you promise me in heaven.

Jesus’ Manifestation at the Wedding Feast of Cana: John 2: 1-11

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his sings in Cana in Galilee and so reveled his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

Meditation: Out of love for humanity Christ would elevate the natural bond of marriage to that of a great sacrament. Jesus and Mary’s presence at the marriage feast of Cana shows their reverence for marriage. It is God’s grace that allows husband and wife to truly love one another. The Sacrament of Marriage is the real and tangible sign of Christ love for his Bride the Church. As husband and wife love one another exclusively, so does Christ love the Church. As husband and wife never abandon one another, so will Christ never abandon the Church.

Do whatever he tells you, says our Blessed Mother to the waiters. How important it is to understand our Blessed Mother’s role in the Church. She is truly Mother of God and Mother of the Church. Mary constantly intercedes on behalf of the Church, for each and every soul. Mary shows us the way to her Divine Son.

By this first of his public miracles, Christ proves that he has a deep interest in our many and varied activities during the course of our journey toward heaven. Jesus is truly interested in our earthly affairs.

The miracle at the Feast of Cana signifies his giving of his own Body and Blood at the Last Supper and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The wine in abundance shows that God’s kindness knows no limits. Do you thirst for the Holy Eucharist, for the very love of God?

Jesus, help me to know the goodness of your Sacraments as the ultimate source of grace in my life, leading me to the everlasting happiness of heaven.

Jesus’ Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, and his Call to Conversion: Mark 2: 1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became know that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”-he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once; and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God saying, “We have never seen anything like this.

Meditation: The people of God wanted to see and listen to our Lord Jesus Christ. His presence was powerful and healing. It was the faith of paralytic that truly cured him. But Christ made it clear that his healing would be more than just physical. What was more important to Our Divine Savior was the forgiveness of his sins. Jesus claims his authority as the Son of God when he not only cures the crippled man, but also forgives his sins.

Jesus wants to heal us as well. He wants to take away the burden of our sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Why so many do not avail themselves to the healing balm of Confession is a great tragedy. Satan tries to convince us that we do not need God. Pride makes us think that we can get through life without God. Do not give in to the lies of the Devil. God has given us this great sacrament as the way to him. Why do we stay away from God, and refuse to allow his healing grace into our lives? Jesus is always ready to bring healing to our shattered lives. Through the ministry of the Holy Priesthood, God heals our souls and minds. Every time we celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Christ says to us, “Rise up, and walk, your faith has healed you.”

Lord, help me to truly humble myself in your presence. Allow me to know my sins and to confess them with true sincerity and a firm amendment to never sin again. Lord, I trust in your grace.

The Transfiguration: Luke 9: 28-35

Jesus took Peter, John and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”

Meditation: Jesus wants us to share in his glory. The Transfiguration reminds us that as Christians our lives are being changed and transformed each and every day. We are being conformed into the image of Jesus Christ: crucified, risen, and now glorified. Don’t be found sleeping as were the three Apostles. How we close our eyes to God’s glory because we are lazy and inattentive to what God is trying to do in our lives!

When transfigured, Jesus is seen with Moses the giver of the Jewish Law, and the greatest of all the prophets, Elijah. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Mosaic Law and the longed-for Messiah so much prophesized by the prophets. It is no wonder that the apostles said to Jesus, Lord, how good it is for us to be here!

As St. John Chrysostom says, “The true beauty, the most exquisite beauty of the blessed Godhead is to be seen only by those whose minds have been purified. By gazing at its dazzling beauty they receive some share in it, some bright beam as it were that lights up their own faces.” For the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. As we are the children of the light through baptism, we will someday see Christ in his unspeakable and divine splendor.

Lord, keep me awake! May I always keep my eyes fixed on you, my Glorified Savior! Let me see your glory!

Jesus’ Institution of the Holy Eucharist: Matthew 26: 26-28

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.”

Meditation: Christ is truly present in the Holy Eucharist! I myself Am the Living Bread come down from heaven. Jesus remains truly present in the Blessed Sacrament because of his infinite love for you. Behold I am with you always even to the end of the world. We return our love for Christ when we participate well in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and spend time before his Sacred Presence. Where your treasure is, there is your heart…Could you not watch one hour with me? When you look upon the Sacred Host, you look at the Divine Son of God! Everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in him will have eternal life. Each time you receive Holy Communion, God’s Divine Presence increases in you. Whoever remains in union with me shall bear much fruit, for without me you can do nothing. To experience the Divine Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist is a time of profound peace. Cast your anxieties upon the Lord, who cares for you.

When we eat his Body and drink his Blood we take the very life of Christ into our bodies. The Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord will give you an abundance of grace. Truly the Sacred Eucharist is a foretaste of what we shall possess in life eternal: His Divine Presence forever! As St. Thomas Aquinas wrote, every time we receive Holy Communion, “The soul is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.”

Lord Jesus, help me to long for you! Help me to desire your Precious Body and Blood. Make me worthy to receive you with praise, adoration, and thanksgiving.