Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

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Gospel
Mark 1:7-11

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: 
“One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water; 
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee 
and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open 
and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens, 
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Reflection

The baptism of Jesus is the beginning of his public ministry. It's clear that he is not just an ordinary man. And the voice that came from heaven was the voice of a God who was filled with joy, knowing now finally he is able to reach the people that he desires to have an intimate relationship with through his son.

He is the model of who we are. And one of the things that's interesting about this is the heavens were torn open and the spirit descended upon him. It reminds me of that moment at the end of his life when he died on the cross, in the presence of God, in the holy of holies of the temple. The curtain was torn open.

It's a wonderful connection to see that what God has longed for all along was to fully enter into us, not to be distant from us, but in us.

Closing Prayer

Father, your spirit is among us. Help us to recognize it. Help us to open our hearts to this mystery that we can be like the Christ filled with divinity, filled with the power to heal and to drive out evil. And we ask this In Jesus’ name, Amen.