We celebrate today the conclusion of the Season of Christmas. A Season which has led us not only thru the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas itself), but also the Feast of the Holy Family and the Feast of the Epiphany. Today’s celebration, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, marks the occasion of Christ’s own Baptism in the River Jordan by John the Baptist. It is an occasion to not only celebrate all of the blessings of the Season of Christmas, but also the blessings and grace of the Sacrament of Baptism itself.
Our Holy Father Pope Benedict writes about today “ Baptism is, so to speak, the bridge that God has built between Him and us, the road by which He is accessible to us; it is the divine rainbow over our life, the promise of the great yes of God, the gateway to hope and, at the same time, the sign that indicates the road we must take in an active and joyous way to meet Him and feel loved by Him.”
In our own parish not only was the Renewal of our Baptismal Promises an important part of our celebrations this weekend, but so to for our Confirmation Candidates, it was a time for their Rite of Enrollment in which they came forward to indicate their desire to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation later in this Spring.
Our unity as a community was also celebrated today, in a more secular way, but also an important one, as 90 individuals from our parish attended together a Guelph Storm Hockey game for our annual “Family Day with the Storm.” It was an event attended by individuals of all ages and a great time to be together celebrating our family of faith.
2009 has begun well, one might say in a High Definition Fashion, we continue to rely on God’s Grace and Blessing - both of which come from our Baptism in the Lord.