SATURDAY HOMILY - CHRISTMAS WEEK/ BEFORE EPIPHANY YEAR B

SATURDAY HOMILY – CHRISTMAS WEEK/ BEFORE EPIPHANY YEAR B

THEME: I Am Proud Of You

Site of Jesus’ Baptism, Jordan River

After my ordination to the Diaconate over 8 years ago, I traveled home to Southern Maryland to celebrate with my family and to deacon my first Mass at my family parish. It’s a little country church; it’s where I was baptized and confirmed, where I received my First Communion. It’s where I served as an altar boy for many many years! So it was a bit nerve-wracking to deacon and to preach in front of friends and family, much less my mom!

Afterwards my mom made a point of telling me how proud she was and how proud my dad would have been if he had been there. You see, he passed away years before that; so I never had the chance to share this ‘deacon journey’. And all the time since, my mom has constantly reminded me of his and her pride in what I do!

We’ve all had those moments either as a child or as a parent. Mom/dad saying I’m proud of you for something we did. Maybe we got an A on a math test, maybe I cleaned my room without being asked, maybe I passed my driving test, got my first job, or graduated from college! Whatever it was, it was a recognition that we did something good, something that made them proud!

This is what we hear in today’s Gospel: This is my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased!
God the Father expressing His love and support for His Son and the Holy Spirit coming down upon Him in the form of a dove!

The difference here is that God’s words of love and support happen at the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry. There have been no miracles, no multiplication of loaves or fishes, no calming of the storm. There have been no parables or Sermon on the Mount. There aren’t any disciples or apostles as yet! Jesus has done and said nothing thus far. And yet God loves Him, is proud of Him and makes it publicly known that He is well pleased with Jesus!

Now we might be thinking – that’s all well and good but that’s Jesus! That’s not us! Really? Haven’t our parents not only expressed their pride in our accomplishments afterwards but also offered their confidence and support before the fact? Before that test? Before that job interview? You got this! I know you can do this! Didn’t they love you before, during and after?

This is my beloved child with whom I am well pleased! Jesus hears these words at the beginning of his ministry. For us – these are the words we hope to hear at the end of our journey!! A welcome into the Kingdom of Heaven!

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