Erin FoxA time to remind ourselves of the goodness of Christ, writes Erin Fox
Christmas is now over and we have finished celebrating the birth of Jesus but, on January 11, we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord.
This event is celebrated on the Sunday after the feast of the Epiphany, but originally it was celebrated on the same day as the Epiphany. The epiphany commemorated three events: the arrival of the Magi (the three wise men), Jesus’ baptism and the wedding in Cana where Jesus worked his first miracle by turning the water into wine.
Over time, the Baptism of the Lord feast was separated from the other events of Epiphany and it was given its own feast day on January 13 by Pope Pius XII. This was changed by Pope John XXIII and then by Pope Paul VI to its current date, the first Sunday after the feast of the Epiphany.
While we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany as the last day of Christmas, the Baptism of Christ marks the end of the liturgical season of Christmas and the beginning of ordinary time.
The Church teaches us that the Sacrament of Baptism is necessary for salvation. Even though Jesus never sinned in his lifetime, by allowing John the Baptist to baptise him, he set an example for the rest of us. His purpose for receiving this sacrament was solely for us.
There are different traditions around the world to celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. In Ireland, it is a reminder of the goodness of Christ, our own baptism and the importance of receiving the sacraments. Because the feast falls at the beginning of the year, it’s a good time to revise your New Year’s resolutions while thinking about Jesus’s intentions for baptism.
Jesus’s reason for receiving the Sacrament of Baptism was completely selfless, so one of your resolutions for this year can be to do things that others will benefit from and overall to be less selfish. It could be as simple as helping out more at home by volunteering, instead of waiting to be asked. Or you can be more charitable by donating old toys you no longer play with or use.
With Lent coming up next month, it is the perfect time to start planning how to help others.