Sunday Gospel Reflection by Bishop Parkes: You’ve probably heard the phrase “born again.” It’s a term that Catholics may not be very familiar with, but many of our Protestant friends are. It might be that they were baptized or even verbally committed their life to Christ. Many Catholics are traditionally baptized as infants, and in their teenage years recommit
We are a joyful community of disciples proclaiming the Good News and inviting all people to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.
Editor's Note - The reflection for Saturday, January 9 was incorrectly attributed. The correct author of the reflection was Father Kevin Mackin, OFM.
Read the Gospel reflection by Bishop Parkes below or click here to listen to it.
Becoming closer to God through Baptism
"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”- Mark 1:7-11
You’ve probably heard the phrase “born again.” It’s a term that Catholics may not be very familiar with, but many of our Protestant friends are. It might be that they were baptized or even verbally committed their life to Christ. Many Catholics are traditionally baptized as infants, and in their teenage years recommit and confirm the seal of the Holy Spirit they received. It can be a spiritually uplifting time for many.
The Gospel for this weekend comes from St. Mark and it’s the account of the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. We know that Jesus was conceived without sin and He remained sinless His entire life. So, we might ask the question, “why did Jesus have to be baptized?” Throughout salvation history, God gives us both extreme and practical examples of His love for us. Jesus is His son and you and I are children of God. Just as Adam and Eve were created by God, so were you and me. Like Adam and Eve, we are sinful creatures and we often use our free will to make poor decisions. It’s just the nature of man. The only way we can attain our place in Heaven is to be cleansed by water and the Holy Spirit, through the blood of the lamb, Christ’s eternal sacrifice on the cross.
Jesus submitted to the ritual cleansing that was being performed by John in the Jordan River, not because He needed it, but because we do, and so He sanctified, or made holy, the waters of baptism. God said to Jesus at His baptism, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.” Imagine the God of the Universe, creator of all, saying the words, “John, Mary, Greg - you are my beloved child, with whom I am well pleased, who I created to live with me, to be with me for all eternity.” Know that God loves you more than anything and invites you to be close to His heart.
If you would like to learn more about coming into the Catholic Church and the Sacrament of Baptism, visit your local Catholic parish today.
Nos acercamos más a Dios por medio del Bautismo
“Tú eres mi Hijo amado; yo tengo en ti mis complacencias”. - Mc 1, 7-11
Probablemente has oído la frase "nacido de nuevo". Es un término con el cual los católicos puede que no estén muy familiarizados, pero muchos de nuestros amigos protestantes sí lo están. Puede ser que hayan sido bautizados o incluso hayan entregado verbalmente su vida a Cristo. Muchos católicos son tradicionalmente bautizados cuando son bebés y en su adolescencia vuelven a comprometerse y confirmar el don del Espíritu Santo que recibieron. Éste puede ser un momento espiritualmente edificante para muchos.
El Evangelio de este fin de semana es según san Marcos y nos relata el bautismo de Jesús en el río Jordán. Sabemos que Jesús fue concebido sin pecado y permaneció sin pecado toda su vida. Pues entonces podríamos preguntarnos, "¿por qué Jesús tuvo que ser bautizado?" A lo largo de la historia de la salvación, Dios nos da ejemplos extremos y prácticos de su amor por nosotros. Jesús es su Hijo y tú y yo somos hijos e hijas de Dios. Así como Adán y Eva fueron creados por Dios, también lo fuimos tú y yo. Al igual que Adán y Eva, somos pecadores y a menudo usamos nuestro libre albedrío para hacer malas decisiones. Así es la naturaleza humana. La única manera que podemos alcanzar nuestro lugar en el cielo es siendo limpiados por el agua y el Espíritu Santo, por la sangre del Cordero, o sea, por el sacrificio eterno de Cristo en la cruz.
Jesús se sometió al ritual de la purificación que realizaba Juan en el río Jordán; no porque necesitara ser purificado, sino porque nosotros sí lo necesitamos, y por eso santificó las aguas del Bautismo. Dios le dijo a Jesús en su bautismo: " Tú eres mi Hijo amado; yo tengo en ti mis complacencias." Imagina al Dios del Universo, creador de todos, diciendo las palabras: "María, Juan, Greg, tú eres mi hija amada, ustedes son mis hijos amados; yo tengo en ustedes mis complacencias, los creé para vivir conmigo, para estar conmigo por toda la eternidad". Sepan que Dios los ama más que a nada y les invita a acercarse a su corazón.
Si deseas conocer más acerca de cómo entrar en comunión con la Iglesia católica y el sacramento del Bautismo, visita la parroquia católica de tu localidad hoy.
Reflection by:
Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes is the fifth Bishop of St. Petersburg. Prior to his appointment to the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Bishop Parkes served as the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee from 2012-2016. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Orlando on June 26, 1999. Before answering the call to the priesthood, Bishop Parkes worked for several years in Tampa’s banking industry.
Important Courageously Living the Gospel Links:
Scripture Reflection
Prayer
Website
Scripture Reflection
Prayer
Website