Here’s a question for us to ponder today: if Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God and if this man of God lived without sin, then why did he seek out a baptism of repentance? Repentance means a turning toward God, a conversion of heart. What would repentance have to do with God’s innocent Son?
He stood with Israel and all of our broken humanity in the Jordan River that day; and as he was being baptized by his cousin John, he was saying…then and now…I am with you, I am part of you and I will never leave you orphaned. This is Emmanuel… God-with-us, right here, right now. This we know in faith. We recognize this baptismal gift, the gift of the Spirit. The world-wide Catholic Church proclaims the truth that is Christ Jesus.
The Lord’s Spirit animates the heart of each disciple. This same Spirit animates the parish family of St. John Neumann. As disciples of the Lord Jesus, we have been called to live holy lives, joyful lives. And as disciples of Jesus, we are called to proclaim the Kingdom, in word and in deed.
This weekend, we begin the great work ahead of us, in building a legacy of faith. This is the way our parish will proclaim the Kingdom in word and in deed, as we build all we need, to celebrate the Lord, to gather all together in fellowship and to teach this new Way of being human.
From all that I have seen and heard, this project of raising all the dollars we need and in building all we need…this project is God’s will for us. I will give of myself to this work of God. I have pledged a sacrificial part of my treasure and I will give of my time and of whatever talent I might possess… and with you…we, together, will build a legacy of faith.
May the Lord God bless us with every blessing, for renewal, for the strength of holiness, and for the courage to step out in faith and do what we are called to do!
AMDG
Msgr. David
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