Baptism is Only the Beginning

Sermon by Rev. John Paul Shea

The Baptism of the Lord, Jan. 11, 2015

Saints Peter & Paul Parish, Tucson, AZ

Today, the Church celebrates the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This marks the end of the Christmas season, which began Dec. 25 with the birth of Our Lord, followed by the Feast of the Holy Family and then Epiphany -- Our Lord’s

manifestation through the light of a mysterious star. Today we celebrate our Lord’s immersion into the waters of the River Jordon.

The focus of today’s celebration is not simply on Our Lord, but also on us. We celebrate Our Lord’s Baptism, but we are reminded that Our Lord was baptized so that we can be baptized through Him and enjoy new life in Him. 

In today’s short Gospel passage from Mark 1:7-11, Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordon River.

We should ask ourselves, why was Jesus baptized? After all, John’s baptism was a baptism for repentance, but Jesus was sinless and had no need of repentance.

There are many reasons. Jesus was about to embark on His public ministry and it was fitting that He be revealed as the One who would fulfill the baptism of John. 

John was the voice crying out in the wilderness preparing the people for the Messiah who was to come. By baptizing Jesus, John declared Jesus to be The messiah. The entire event would reveal to all generations that Jesus is the perfect embodiment of the triune God! And through His baptism, our Lord would give us a new beginning! We were invited to join God's own triune family, to receive a new identity in God. Those who receive Our Lord’s baptism will receive new life!

Fr. J.P. Shea

My brothers and sisters, Christ was baptized in the Jordon not to be made holy by the water. He was baptized to make the water holy. And by his cleansing, Our Lord would purify the waters, which he touched. 

In His baptism, Christ sanctified our human nature. When Our Lord was washed, all water for baptism was made clean and purified for the dispensing of baptismal grace for Christians of all ages!

Christ was the first to be baptized, so that all Christians will enter the saving waters after him -- with confidence. Jesus

receives the Spirit at His baptism in order to renew our nature in its entirety and to make it whole again. For becoming man, Jesus took our entire nature to Himself so that we can become holy as He is holy.

Therefore, our baptism is not the end of our Christian life, it is only the beginning. We are all called to a mission through our baptism, and today’s feast helps us to reflect on how we are living this mission in our Christian life.

The baptism of Jesus signifies that we are becoming a new creation. In our baptism we Christians are born again as members of our Lord’s Church. We become our Lord’s chosen people. We are to be a people set apart from the world. In baptism we identify with Christ’s death and resurrection. We die to our sinful nature so that we can live with our Lord in His resurrected nature. Therefore, we must strive to live out our baptismal call! We must strive to live holy lives!

In today’s second reading (1John 5:1-9), John says, “If [we] love God and want to live as His children than [we] must keep His commandments.” So to live as a child of God, we must strive to keep our Lord’s commandments. All of them!

Just because we have been baptized does not mean that we have automatic entrance into heaven. No! Each one of us can forfeit heaven by dying in a state of mortal sin -- by irrevocably rejecting God.

When we commit mortal sin, we separate ourselves from God, and we become blind to the truth! Sin brings hurt upon others and upon ourselves. This is why we see so much sadness, guilt and shame in our world today!  But, Our Lord intervenes. He comes to give us new life in the Spirit, if only we allow His Spirit to purify our hearts and our actions! Our  new birth begins at baptism. Now we must continually be strengthened and purified in our baptismal life through the sacrament of confession and the gift of the Eucharist.

As we come together to celebrate the Baptism of our Lord, let us reflect on the gift of our own baptism. Let us be freed from  sinful ways that hold us captive. Strive to live in holiness and purity so that one day we too will hear the words, “You are my beloved Son  (daughter). With you I am well pleased.” God bless you.

Did you enjoy this homily. There's more! Read Fr. John Paul Shea on St. John the Baptist: He testified to the Light!

God Pitched His Tent Among Men: The Manner of Christian Prayer versus Muslim Prayer

by Lawrence Fox

“What manner of prayer did Jesus teach his disciples?” a Muslim asked me on Facebook.
I thought about the question from the perspective of John the Baptist who evidently taught his disciples how to pray. This is certain since Jesus’ disciples approached Him and asked, “Teach us how to pray as John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1) Then I asked, “What is this Muslim focusing on in relation to prayer? Was it a question about method and form, content, location, duration, quantity or quality that was important?” The question did not seem to suggest a tender relationship between Allah and men. 

After reading the chapter “teachings on prayer” in Jesus and Mohammad; Profound Differences and Surprising Similarities by Mark Gabriel PhD, I began to understand why it was so important for the Muslim to have an answer to his question.

Muslims are commanded to pray to Allah fives times a day (raka'ah). Islamic legend states that Mohammed was taken up to Allah in a dream and Allah instructed Mohammed to command the believers to pray 50 times a day.

Manner in which Muslims pray

In the Islamic legend, Mohammed ascended through the seven heavens and along the way saw at various discrete levels apart from Allah, the person of Jesus, Moses, and other “Muslim” prophets. On his journey down from where Allah dwelt, Moses requested from Mohammed, “What did Allah ask?” Mohammed replied, “Allah instructed me to command 'believers' to pray 50 times a day.”

Moses told Mohammed that he (Moses) led his people out of Egypt towards the Promised Land and knew “believers would not pray 50 times a day.” So Mohammed went back to Allah to ask for a lesser duty. Mohammed -- with the advice of Moses -- managed to whittle the prayer requirement down to the number five.

The legendary bargaining between Mohammed and Allah over quantity of prayer inversely parallels the exchange between Abraham and the Lord (represented by three angels) who was about to execute judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 16: 1-33). Mohammed was trying to water down the requirements for the believer. Abraham was trying to save the cities scheduled for destruction. 

Abraham begins the exchange with the Lord by asking, “Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty? Suppose there were fifty innocent people in the city; would you wipe out the place rather than spare it for the sake of the fifty innocent people within it?”  This exchange went back and forth until the Lord states, “For the sake of those ten, I will not destroy it.” In such manner did Abraham plead for God's mercy for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Ironically, Abraham was not successful as God could not find 10 innocent men.

Allah commanded “the five” and sent the angel Gabriel to teach Mohammed the manner of prayer. Mohammed then explained to his followers that this prayer (recited five times a day) was a duty from Allah.

Mohammed led his followers in prayer five times a day to demonstrate the sincerity of the message. Mohammed taught his followers when to say the prayer during the course of the day, the manner of washings, the location, the content and when an exception was permitted based upon circumstances, including while at the mosque, away from the mosque, and while performing jihad. (Surah 4:34; 4:101-103, and 5:6) Mohammed’s instructions on prayer are integral to the life of the “believer” since “the five” prayer times manifest obedience to Allah.

Christians expect God to hear their prayers

But the Islamic approach is wooden and non-relational compared to the approach of the Christian,  who comes to understand that God dwells intimately with His people. The Muslim doesn’t know if Allah hears his prayer or not.

Jesus teaches his disciples that God already knows what’s in their heart and will listen to them. He says, “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men, I tell you the truth, they received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like the pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6: 5:8)

Jesus then taught his disciples to pray to God as a Father, not as a taskmaster as Allah demands: "Our Father in heaven, holy is your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give to us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil one.” (Matthew 6:9) 

Painting of the Sacred Heart of God
the Father. To learn more about
this devotion, go to Moving Heart Foundation

The word that Jesus uses for “Father” is “Abba” which literally means “Daddy” in Hebrew. Jesus told his disciples that God was their Father by creation, grace, and providence. The gift that we receive from God the Father is God Himself in the Holy Spirit, “What father among you, if his son asks for bread, would give him a stone, or if he asks for a fish, would give him a snake instead of the fish? You being evil know how to give good things to your children, how much more you’re Father in heaven will give to you the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 11:11)

The Holy Spirit that Jesus spoke about is the same Spirit that overshadowed the waters of creation in the book of Genesis 1:2 and which rested upon Jesus (like a dove) at His Baptism in the River Jordan by John the Baptist (Mark 1:10).

This same Holy Spirit -- while indwelling within the heart of the disciples -- encourages and enables the disciple to speak to God as “Abba Father.” St. Paul writes: “But if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that make you a slave again to fear; but you received the Spirit of Sonship. And by him we cry, Abba Father. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in the sufferings in order that we may also share in his Glory.” (Romans 8:13-17)

The Holy Spirit which comes from God Our Father is identified as the breath of God, which is an image of intimacy. God breathed into the nostrils of Adam (shaped from clay). God the Holy Spirit animates our being (body and soul). Jesus tells his disciples, "Trust in God as a child trusts in his own Daddy and He will give you an increase of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit."

The Holy Spirit present at the creation of the world, “moving over the waters,” is the same Holy Spirit which participates along with the Father and the Son in  the re-creation (sanctification) of the human person.

Mohammed instructed his followers to wash before prayer but he could not give to his followers the gift of God’s Holy Spirit.

Mohammed’s washing simply dealt with the removal of dirt from the body. In contrast, the washing of the Holy Spirit --  while moving over the waters of Baptism – saves “the initiate” like the waters of Noah’s Ark saved Noah and his family:  “In it only a few people, eight in all were saved through water and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but in a pledge response of a good conscience towards God. It (baptism) saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone in the heaven and is at God’s right hand – with the angels, authorities and power in submission to Him.” (1 Peter 3:19-22)

The Holy Spirit rested upon Moses and Mount Sinai with the giving of the Law and its ratification. He rested upon the Ark of the Covenant once it was constructed and dedicated. (Exodus 40:34) It is the same Holy Spirit which rested on the Temple dedicated by Solomon. While dedicating the Temple, King Solomon asked the assembled people, "Will God indeed dwell with men upon the earth? If the heaven and heavens of heavens will not suffice thee, what then is this house that I have built?" (II Chronicles 6:18). 

Solomon's Temple

In each instance throughout the Old and New Testament, the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit by cloud, fire, and breath (wind) manifested the dwelling of God among humanity. The pattern continues in the most marvelous way within the New Testament.

The Angel Gabriel said to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born of you will be called, the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35) In case the point is missed, Matthew writes about the Mary’s conception of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit, “And all this took place to fulfill what the Lord has said through the prophet, ‘The Virgin shall be with child and will give birth to a son, and they call him Emmanuel - which means God with us.’” (Matthew 1:22-23) Yes, through the power of the Holy Spirit and Mary’ yes, God pitched His tent among humanity in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth, Son of God and Son of Mary.

John the Baptist told members of the Sanhedrin that he baptized with water, but the One to follow him would baptize with the Holy Spirit. Jesus reiterated the words of John the Baptist to his disciples, “For John baptized with water but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1: 5) And so it was on Pentecost when 120 of them were gathered in the upper room. The Holy Spirit descended upon them with the rushing of a mighty wind from heaven. Tongues of living fire rested upon each of them and they began to proclaim the Good News to the multitude of pilgrims in Jerusalem, something which never happened in Islamic history.

When the people heard the message they said to Peter and the other apostles, “What shall we do?” And Peter responded, “Repent  and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of you sins. And you will receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord will call.” (Acts 2: 38)

Through Word and Water (Baptism), the Gift of the Holy Spirit is given to men, women, and children. God speaking through the Prophet Ezekiel stated: “I shall pour clean water over you and you will be cleansed. I shall cleanse you of all your defilement and all your idols. I shall give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I shall remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a new heart of flesh instead. I shall put my spirit in you and make you keep my laws and sincerely respect my observances.” (Ezekiel 36:25-27)

God promised that He would put His Spirit within the hearts of men. This promise is fulfilled through the Person of Jesus of Nazareth since “In Him the fullness of the Godhead dwelt in bodily form.” (Colossians 2:9) Christians receive a divine Person in faith and in prayer. Muslims do not.

Mohammed gave to his followers, five prayers which he learned from an angel. Jesus of Nazareth gave to his followers a relationship with God as “Father.” And from this Father they receive in prayer an increase of the Holy Spirit enabling them to cry out with greater courage “Abba” Father in Spirit and in Truth.

Did you enjoy this piece? Lawrence has written others on Islam, including GLORY OF ISLAM: Putting the Beheadings, Crucifixions, and Rape into the context of the Quran
and a poem on beheaded American journalist James Foley  Lament for Western Humanity
and THE MIND OF ISLAM: On Family Life, the Messiah and How to Treat Non-Muslims

EPIPHANY! Let the Light of Christ Shine in the Deepest Places of Your Own Heart

Sermon by Rev. John Paul Shea

Feast of the Epiphany, Jan 4, 2015

Saints Peter & Paul Parish, Tucson, AZ

Today the Church celebrates the awesome and mysterious  Epiphany!

The word, “Epiphany,” means “Manifestation."  In Ancient Greek the word for Epiphany is “Theophany,” meaning, "vision of God.” This describes Moses' experience while he was on Mount Sinai where he received the Ten Commandments.  

Moses experienced a fiery flame, reaching to the sky, and  loud notes of a trumpet!  The whole mountain was wrapped in smoke, and trembled violently! It was a scary and awesome sight, and the people watching at the bottom of the mountain trembled in fear. 

In today’s Gospel (Matt 2:1-12), we hear of another  epiphany. The magi, who were astrologers or what we would call “wise men,” had their eyes trained on the heavens looking for  signs of God, and they recognized His work in the manifestation of a mysterious star. They followed this star at its rising, and it led them to our Lord. So they went to pay homage to Jesus, "the newborn King of the Jews.” 

Today’s Gospel passage is a call for each one of us to strive to recognize God’s light in our lives. God wants each one of us to experience our own epiphany, our own manifestation of His love and His truth.  He wants to guide us by His light. But we must to be docile and receptive to His in inspirations.

As the magi in today’s Gospel looked into the heavens, we need to look into our hearts. Our souls are a huge place with a lot to discover. Many are afraid to look into their souls because they do not want to acknowledge the dark places.  But, if we don't shine the Light of Christ into the contents of these hidden places, He cannot  heal the wounds and sins that lurk within us.

Sometimes God allows things in our lives in order to “shake us up” so that we will draw closer to Him. This is what happened in my own life, an epiphany that led me to the Catholic Church.

It is often when we experience these tempests in our lives that we turn to the Lord. We realize that we have no other choice. But when we turn to God with all our heart, He brings good out of difficulties. Often it is right in the midst of the darkest moments of our lives that we discover Christ quietly supporting us in ways that we couldn't imagine. 

My brothers and sisters, God is real! He wants to dwell intimately with each one of us! We become distracted by the false lights of the world, and these block us from God’s manifestation in our lives.

This is what happened to King Herod in today's reading.  Unlike the magi, who kept their eyes focused on the heavens, King Herod kept his eyes on the earth.  The Child that the magi honored with gifts is the same Child that Herod sought to kill out of envy and political gain.

There are many false lights in our culture that can lead us away from the Lord -- riches, sex, power, glory, and fame. When we allow these worldly lights to dominate and manipulate our lives, then it becomes easy to close our hearts to the true Light that has come and is coming into the world! When we get too caught up in things of the world, we become blind to the ways in which God is leading us, His Star of Truth.

Today’s celebration of the Epiphany calls us to raise our minds and hearts on what is above! God has entered into our world to renew humanity. He has come to renew the face of the earth. And as we prepare for the second coming of our Lord, God continues to manifest His signs to His Church in many ways, through the clear revelation of the Catholic Church, God's actions in historical events and privately through apparitions of our Blessed Mother, and other miracles and healings. 

All of these are signs that God is calling us to conversion. Let us open our eyes and hearts to recognize His light and ask for the grace to follow Him. 

Three Wise Surfers follow the Light of Christ 

Did you enjoy this Homily? There are lots more by Fr. John Paul Shea. Perhaps you'd enjoy THE HOLY FAMILY: Model for all Human Families