FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD; NATIONAL VOCATION AWARENESS WEEK BEGINS
“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing.”
When Jesus presented himself for baptism, the stakes got higher: He saw the heavens open and heard a voice proclaim him the beloved Son of God. His public ministry began immediately afterward. The sacrament of Baptism also calls the followers of Christ to something big: service. Today begins National Vocation Awareness Week, a time to think about how you will live out your call to greatness—in your chosen vocation or in the vocation you are still contemplating. By your baptism you were anointed with the Holy Spirit, which gives you the power to act with justice and compassion in service to all. It is a good time to reflect on your life of servive. Are you happy giving of yourself in your present situation? Is there a nudge to do something more that allows you to share your gifts for the good of others or for something greather than yourself?
This week I am in Kansas and have the marvelous opportunity to share my life as an Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph with the young people here. Today I will be talking with fifth and sixth graders at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic School in Lawrence, Kansas. What a joy to be among such enthused youth. It also gives me an opportunity to express my gratitude for the call to live out my baptismal call in as a consecrated woman religious and share prayer, service, ministry and community life with such dedicated and gifted women with whom I had the pleasure of praying and socializing this past weekend– Ursuline Sisters Kathleen, Helen, Marcella, Martina, Jane, Dee, Pat, Amelia, Angela, and Betsy. Thank each of your for your warm welcome and witness of your own call to Ursuline life!
TODAY’S READINGS: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 or 55:1-11; Acts 10:34-38 or 1 John 5:1-9; Mark 1:7-11 (21)