This week's readings Week of Jan. 12 - 18 Sunday, Jan. 12, 2003 Reading I: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 Reading II: Acts 10:34-38 Gospel: Mk 1:7-11 Monday, Jan. 13, 2003 Reading I: Heb 1:1-6 Gospel: Mk 1:14-20 Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2003 Reading I: Heb 2:5-12 Gospel: Mk 1:21-28 Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2003 Reading I: Heb 2:14-18 Gospel: Mk 1:29-39 Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003 Reading I: Heb 3:7-14 Gospel: Mk 1:40-45 Friday, Jan. 17, 2003 Reading I: Heb 4:1-5, 11 Gospel: Mk 2:1-12 Saturday, Jan. 18, 2003 Reading I: Heb 4:12-16 Gospel: Mark 2:13-17 Pope's Prayer Intentions January General Intention You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world: That Christian communities may fully embrace the Lord's invitation to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. January Mission Intention The Christian communities of China: That China's Christian communities may strengthen their ties and cooperate more effectively in spreading the Good News.

My servant,
my chosen one: My Son

		Word of God  Word of Life  Fr. John G. Stillmank

As Christians, by our baptism we are marked with the sign of the Cross, baptized in water, anointed by the Holy Spirit, and sealed forever as belonging to the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John, one of the new Mysteries of Light proclaimed by Pope John Paul II, differs from our Christian baptism.

"The good works which Jesus did, he empowers us to do as his followers, and he commands us to take that mission everywhere in the world."

Jesus was not a Christian but a Jew. The first Christians were his fellow Jews and followers who were filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and who preached the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles alike - to all the nations.

Indeed, those first Christians and we ourselves bear the name because we are anointed as was "Christ," the anointed one. As the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at his baptism, so too are we anointed with the Holy Spirit.

Readings for Feast of The Baptism of the Lord (Jan. 12, 2003) Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 Acts 10:34-38 Mark 1:7-11

The prophet Isaiah foretells the Christ as the servant God upholds, his chosen one in whom God is well pleased, and upon whom God has put his spirit. That servant and chosen one brings justice, a new covenant, opening the eyes of the blind, releasing prisoners, and freeing into the light those who live in darkness.

Peter and the Apostles began to spread the Good News by recognizing and telling others that "God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation (the Gentiles as well as the Jews) whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him." All this began with John's baptism, when Jesus was anointed by God "with the Holy Spirit and with power."

And what did Jesus do as one anointed by the Holy Spirit and with the very power of God? "He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him."

Jesus' baptism in the Jordan did not give him a new power from God, for as the Son of God he is always united with the Father and the Holy Spirit in love. Rather, the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan by John revealed Jesus to be who he is, the one mightier than John, the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit, the chosen one of God, the servant of the Lord.

The good works which Jesus did, he empowers us to do as his followers, and he commands us to take that mission everywhere in the world. Preach the Gospel, baptize the nations, and teach them to observe all that I command you, said Jesus.

Coming up out of the water after John baptized him, Jesus was proclaimed by a voice from the heavens, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." Thus begins the greatest adventure the human family has ever known: accepting who we are as sons and daughters of God; being redeemed by the Son of God and Son of Man; forgiving as we are forgiven; celebrating the life, death, and resurrection of the Christ; and proclaiming to all the world: Jesus Christ is Lord!

Fr. John G. Stillmank is Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Madison and pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Verona, and St. William Parish, Paoli.