The Reality of the Resurrection
Christmas Weekday
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
“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) Read this meditation aloud to the family
During the Christmas season, there are a handful of readings that may or may not be read (depending on what day of the week Christmas, the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, and the Solemnity of the Epiphany fall). This is one of those readings which might seldom be read. Many of these readings seem, at first, a bit out of place. Most of them are from the beginning of the Gospel of John, and then right in the middle of these there is this one (just one) from the beginning of the Gospel of Mark. John’s starts with the Word of God becoming flesh. Mark’s starts with John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. So it can seem that this passage from Mark’s Gospel is the most out of place of all. But it is not!
There are probably many reasons why the Church chose to have these seemingly non-Christmas passages read also in the Christmas season. But there is one that we highlight here. The Nativity belongs with the other events of Christ’s life, ministry, suffering, Death, and Resurrection. All these events are there at the Nativity. And the Nativity is there at all of these events. In fact, they are one big event. These events must be viewed together if we are to grasp their significance. Consider, for instance, that here at Jesus’ baptism we see or hear each of the three Persons of the Blessed Trinity together, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
If we apply Christ’s baptism to His birth, we know that that little baby born in the stable is actually the Second Person of the Trinity, that He is infinite God. If we can take this lesson and apply it to our own lives, it will help us never to see our own sufferings and crosses without also seeing the reality of the Resurrection, and it will help us never to see our own joys and comforts without also seeing the remaining need for struggle and sacrifice…at least on this side of heaven. If we learn to always view the whole Christ, our life will always be balanced and will always be full.
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.)
