Jesus Changes Everything
The Baptism of the Lord (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
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.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…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.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This awesome event, the Baptism of Our Lord, is one of only two events in the New Testament where we see and hear the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit together. But they are always perfectly and completely united. Here, at the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry, at the very beginning of Mark’s Gospel, St. Mark says that the heavens are “torn” as the Holy Spirit descends, and the Father speaks. That seems dramatic, violent, and irreparable that God would tear open the heavens… and actually, yes, it is. St. Mark uses this dramatic image again at the end of his Gospel, at the end of Jesus’ ministry. In the verse following Jesus’ death, Mark says that the curtain in the Temple’s sanctuary, which veiled the holy of holies and served as a barrier between God and man, was “torn” by the shaking of the earth. No longer was there a separation between God and man. We have access to God, now, by Christ’s death, and our own Baptism. We Christians should never forget—never forget! —that Jesus has changed everything. Our relationship with God will never be the same. Why did He change everything? For love of us!
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above.(Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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