This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased
Thus, according to the Gospel of St. Matthew, Jesus’ sonship was confirmed during His baptism in the River Jordan. The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which we celebrate today, reminds us of the great value of the Sacrament of Baptism: through Baptism we become the children of God! This feast also concludes the joyful season of Christmas. Beginning from Christmas Day up to now along with the Universal Church we have celebrated the Nativity of the Lord. Once again, we have been reminded of that unconditional love which God has towards us; that He sent His Beloved Son to share with us our humanity and to set us free from sin.
This Friday, January 17th, we observe the memorial of Saint Anthony the Abbot. He is also known as Anthony the Great, Anthony of Egypt, Anthony of the Desert, Anthony of Anchorite and Father of All Monks. He lived in the 3rd and 4th centuries. As a young man, Anthony was so moved with the Gospel message, “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor” (Mark 10:21b), that he actually did just that with his large inheritance and he spent most of his life in solitude. He gave the Church and the world the witness of solitary asceticism, great personal sacrifice and prayer. But no saint is antisocial, and Anthony drew many people to himself for spiritual healing and guidance. He is well known for his arguments against the Arian heresy. The Arian heresy questioned the relationship between Christ and God the Father. It was a heresy that brought a lot of trauma to the Church and which took centuries to recover from. Anthony died at the age of 105.
St. Anthony the Abbot – pray for us!
God bless,
Fr. Peter