January 13, 2002

"I love you son, and I know that you will do great things." "Darling daughter, you are so beautiful and precious to me. I couldn't be more proud of the woman you are becoming." Today Jesus hears words like this, and so do we. How will we respond?

This is the last Sunday of the Incarnation Cycle (Christmas) prior to the beginning of Ordinary Time. As such, it serves as a bridge between the manifestations of Jesus as Messiah and Son of God in his origins, and to Mary and Joseph, to the shepherds and to the astrologers, the manifestations of Jesus as Messiah and Son of God in his ministry at his baptism in his authoritative teaching and powerful miracles, and ultimately in his death and resurrection. The sense of impending suffering that laced its way through the Incarnation Cycle of reading is also manifested at Jesus' baptism. In the allusion to Isaiah's Servant, who will accomplish the perfect justice God promised, but not without suffering.

Through baptism into Christ, we, too, are God's "beloved" on whom the Lord's favor rests. We are anointed with the Holy Spirit and power...and God with us. We are also called for the victor of justice...grasped by the hand and set as a light for the nation to bring out those who live in darkness. In baptism we claim not just salvation won by Christ, but also his identity, in his ministry and in his fate.

All parents feel love, tenderness, pride and extraordinary expectations for their children. These are the feelings the Lord reveals for Jesus and for us today. We know that Jesus fulfilled all his Fathers hopes and dreams. Will we?

SO THE QUESTION: WHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE TO HEAR GOD SAY TO OU THE WORDS THAT JESUS HEARD? WHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE NEVER TO HAVE HEARD WORDS LIKE THIS FROM A PARENT?

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