He who baptises with the Holy Spirit

He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptises with the Holy Spirit.
Jn.1:33

John baptised with water. Jesus baptises with the Holy Spirit. The second baptism "confirms" the first.

In today's Gospel we have it from the highest authority, God the Father, that Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a thing and a desirable thing at that.

As Cardinal Cantalamessa says, "Baptism in the Spirit makes real and revitalises our baptism." This is certainly my experience. And, it's a constant revitalisation, not a one-off like my water baptism. Baptism by water cleansed me of original sin. Ongoing baptism in the spirit helps me stay that way. 

Thank you Jesus for your gift of "baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire" (Mt.3:11).

Great Servant

 

The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.
Mt.23:11,12

Today's memorial Gospel is one of those Gospel readings that makes me pause and reflect. What is Jesus meaning when he says we must not call ourselves Rabbi, father and teacher when obviously there are such people who are best described by these titles? 

The answer lies in the last two verses. It's a call for spiritual equality and a focus on serving others rather than gaining worldly honor. 

The Maori word for authority and prestige is mana. Mana is not to be seized, it is bestowed. I have met people with mana. Usually they are people of quiet humility but their power and authority is almost tangible. 

Jesus calls me away from self-seeking status, my natural tendency. His antidote? Humility.

Saints Basil and Gregory, please pray for us.

God's Idea

They went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity...
Lk.2:39,40

After hearing the amazing prophecies of Simeon and Anna, Joseph and Mary take their baby back to ordinary but also amazing life in Nazareth. What was their assignment? To have Jesus mature in a home of love.

I've had a type of epiphany this Christmas. On Christmas Day our parish priest described Mary and Joseph as a couple deeply in love. They held hands. They had eyes for each other as well as their baby. 

In the past I've beheld the Nativity with Joseph being Joseph and Mary being Mary, not as a loving couple. They would have felt a profound, grounding connection, prioritizing each other's happiness, sharing vulnerability, moving beyond initial "falling in love". The other's joy became as vital as their own.

With this new vision of Mary and Joseph's love for each other, it made sense to me that God would choose no lesser environment in which to have his son nurtured. Also, this elevates marriage to the sacrament it is. 

Mum and Dad raising children is God's idea. I best give my all to it and support it in others. 

Mary and Joseph, please pray for us.

He Saw and He Believed.

Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed.
Jn.20:8

John the Apostle writes of the moment he came to fully believe that Jesus was all who he said he was. What was the final convincing evidence? The empty tomb.

John lived with Jesus for three years, heard his teaching, witnessed the miracles, but it was the absence of Jesus, the empty tomb, that convinced him that Jesus was God. 

The awe and wonder I have for Christmas is only possible because of Easter. Like John, it's the empty tomb that reveals to me who the baby in the manger really is. 

Jesus is God! O come let us adore him...

Saint John the Apostle, please pray for us.

Endure to the End

But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Mt.10:22

Jesus warns his Apostles, and us, that being a follower will attract discrimination and hardship. So why follow him? The only honest answer I have... to be saved.

Being a Christian is no picnic in the park. Yes it's exciting, fulfilling, full of joy and hope, but a cakewalk? No.

Jesus says very clearly that being a follower of him requires endurance. This implies withstanding challenges or continuing to thrive despite them, as in "a love that endures" or "to endure a long delay". 

The saints are wonderful examples of what living with endurance to the end can look like, as with Saint Stephen. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and gazed into heaven seeing the glory of God! 

I can recall my life without Jesus. I was simply existing. Give me enduring any day!

Saint Stephen, please pray for us.

A Father's Blessing

And you, little child,
you shall be called Prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord
to prepare the way for him.
Lk.1:76

Zechariah's canticle includes a prophetic blessing over his newborn son John. Preparing the way during Advent includes the hearts of fathers being turned to their children. Here Zechariah shows what that can look like. 

I grab any occasion I can to speak blessing over my children. Birthdays, graduations, weddings, family gatherings. When these opportunities arise, if I don't seize them they pass, never to be reclaimed. 

I remember on my son's thirteenth birthday, with extended family gathered, I made a "bar mitzvah" type speech with Matthew standing beside me. He initially felt awkward, but I saw his head lift up and chest expand as I spoke of how proud I was of him as he grows into manhood and how wonderful the plans are that God has for him.

A father's blessing is powerful.

A Yes Man

‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ 
Lk.1:38

Mary says yes and POW... the Word becomes flesh.

I am constantly amazed at the power of a "Yes". The other week I was approached to be the Archangel Gabrielle in a nativity play at our local Cathedral. I wanted to say no but was stunned when I heard myself say yes. The resulting pantomime was so much fun. I felt blessed to be a part of it.

Lord, let me be a "Yes Man", in the best sense of the phrase. 

Mumma Mary, Handmaid of the Lord, please pray for me.