The people were filled with expectation." That is how Luke described the excitement around John the Baptist. When do we experience such public emotion? Doesn't it seem easier to unite around something ...

Today we hear Luke’s account of Jesus’ baptism. The surrounding passages can help to contextualize the Gospel and reflect on its significance as the birth of Jesus’ public ministry. The beginning of ...

“The people were filled with expectation.” That is how Luke described the excitement around John the Baptist. When do we experience that sort of public emotion? Doesn’t it seem easier to unite around ...

Sunday, Jan. 12, is the Baptism of the Lord. Mass readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 or Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 or Psalm 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-30; Acts 10:34-38 or Titus ...

The early Church Fathers consistently affirmed the Catholic (and scriptural) belief about baptism, viewing it as a sacrament for the remission of sins and the regeneration of the soul. I aim to offer ...

Today we celebrate the baptism of Jesus. Mark describes the event with a few key details—Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan River; the heavens part; the Spirit descends like a dove and a voice in ...

For centuries, Christians have debated an important question. Can someone truly follow Jesus without baptism? Some churches teach that baptism is an essential act of obedience tied closely to ...