Reflection for Jan. 8, 2012

posted on: Thursday, January 05, 2012 by: rbauer

Our Motherhouse Chapel doors lead to the baptismal font where we renew our belief in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

"You are my Beloved with whom I am well pleased."  -- Mark 1:11

by Sister Laura Zelten

January 9-14 is National Vocation Awareness Week, which begins with the feast of the Baptism of Jesus.  This feast is the bridge between Christmas and Ordinary Time in the Church.  I always find this time difficult.  We no longer see the glitter of the Christmas decorations, the Christmas cookies and candy are almost gone and the seasonal music has stopped.  There seems to be a let down feeling in the air.  Anticipation is gone and everything is packed away.

So how are we to celebrate the Baptism of our Lord?  It is a day to remember Jesus' call to mission but also a day for us to remember our call as baptized Catholic Christians.  We are called  to proclaim the Good News with our lives.

During National Vocation Awareness week we are asked to pray for vocations:  that all people will open their hearts to God's call and respond freely and fully.  Let's do that.  During this next week, let each of us promise to pray that people will live their lives as God calls them.  In particular, let us ask God to open the hearts of many men and women so they may hear the happiness to which they are called through service to the Church as vowed religious, deacons and priests.  Let us pray that each of us, in our full response to God's call may, like Jesus, hear God say: "You are my Beloved with whom I am well pleased."