“Baptism is faith in action.”
~Watchman Nee
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A gloomy drizzly Sunday morning, with a 7:30 alarm. I popped out of bed, brushed my teeth, did 100 old lady crunches while listening to an interesting podcast from Dr. Joe Dispenza on mind/body connection. Then, got dressed and out the door, in the car, and on the way to church by 8:20. Win-win.
What a great surprise to find Bishop Kelly was visiting and celebrating the Mass this morning. Bishop Kelly was the original Pastor of St. Gabriel way back when it was first established in 1996. Cool!
Today’s Gospel was the story of John the Baptist and how he had the honor of baptizing Jesus…
From the Gospel according to Luke
Lk 3:15-16, 21-22
The people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying,
heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him
in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven,
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
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My take on it… John the Baptist was highly regarded by many, but he knew that he was just a lowly servant who would proclaim and prepare others for the coming of Jesus. Baptism with water is just a symbol of your faith. But, the actual proof is in the way you perform your faith throughout each day of your life.
Today was the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. I was eager to scroll through some of my previous Sanctuary Sketches On my phone to find my pencil sketch of that stained glass window.
Toni Andrukaitis 
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