Beloved in Christ,
Who is Jesus Christ? There's an utmost need for us to know who Jesus Christ is. It
may seem silly or stupid to raise the question about Jesus Christ's identity to a Christian Catholic congregation. Yet, it is a profound question that demands pondering upon to arrive at an answer. The Gospel reading for this Sunday provides
a perfect answer. Jesus Christ is the beloved Son of God. At the baptism of Jesus
in the River Jordan, the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, descended upon him. The Father’s voice came from heaven, addressing Jesus: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17).
As the Only Begotten Son of the Father, Jesus embarks on a mission of redemption. Through Jesus’ baptism in the Holy Spirit, he is anointed and empowered to do good and bring healing to “all those oppressed by the devil” (Acts 10:38), “to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness” (Isaiah 42:7). This is good news. Now that we have answers to the question: who is Jesus Christ?, let us advance into the new year with courage and faith because we have been baptized in him and like him, anointed “with the Holy Spirit and power” (Acts 10:38). Knowing who he is, the anointed one and Son of God, we know ourselves better; adopted sons and daughters of God. Let us live out our identity; we are beloved sons and daughters of the Father. Reflect deeply about your baptism and its implications on this last day of the Christmas season, and strive to listen to Jesus and, like him, go about doing good.
As we come to the close of the Christmas season, I want to seize this moment to say THANK YOU to all of you who have made the season a joyful one. In addition, I am indebted to many of you who created time to bring the Christmas joy to live in the parish: thanks to the team responsible for the decorations in the historical church and the church on the hill, thanks to the extraordinary minister of the Holy Communion, lectors, altar servers, ushers, money counters, the choirs, and the musicians. I also extend my appreciation to the various parish groups that helped create the Christmas spirit in the parish: St Vincent de Paul Society, Men’s Club, Council of Catholic Women, Knights of Columbus, and others that I may have failed to mention.
I want to make a special mention of the satisfaction I derived from celebrating a Christmas vigil mass at the Historic St. Peter Church, the first in twenty-five years! I’m filled with gratitude to men and women who worked behind the scenes to make such a special celebration possible. Thanks to Michael Checco and the choir, and St. Michael’s Guard. I hope to do
it again next Christmas!
I am grateful for all the Christmas gifts I received from you: parish societies, families, and individuals. You made it possible for me to get away this past week on a retreat/mission. Our Father in heaven will reward your generosity. I extend to you the promise of Jesus Christ, the Father’s Only Begotten Son: “whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42).
In His Joy,
Fr. Alayode, OP
Who is Jesus Christ? There's an utmost need for us to know who Jesus Christ is. It
may seem silly or stupid to raise the question about Jesus Christ's identity to a Christian Catholic congregation. Yet, it is a profound question that demands pondering upon to arrive at an answer. The Gospel reading for this Sunday provides
a perfect answer. Jesus Christ is the beloved Son of God. At the baptism of Jesus
in the River Jordan, the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, descended upon him. The Father’s voice came from heaven, addressing Jesus: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17).
As the Only Begotten Son of the Father, Jesus embarks on a mission of redemption. Through Jesus’ baptism in the Holy Spirit, he is anointed and empowered to do good and bring healing to “all those oppressed by the devil” (Acts 10:38), “to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness” (Isaiah 42:7). This is good news. Now that we have answers to the question: who is Jesus Christ?, let us advance into the new year with courage and faith because we have been baptized in him and like him, anointed “with the Holy Spirit and power” (Acts 10:38). Knowing who he is, the anointed one and Son of God, we know ourselves better; adopted sons and daughters of God. Let us live out our identity; we are beloved sons and daughters of the Father. Reflect deeply about your baptism and its implications on this last day of the Christmas season, and strive to listen to Jesus and, like him, go about doing good.
As we come to the close of the Christmas season, I want to seize this moment to say THANK YOU to all of you who have made the season a joyful one. In addition, I am indebted to many of you who created time to bring the Christmas joy to live in the parish: thanks to the team responsible for the decorations in the historical church and the church on the hill, thanks to the extraordinary minister of the Holy Communion, lectors, altar servers, ushers, money counters, the choirs, and the musicians. I also extend my appreciation to the various parish groups that helped create the Christmas spirit in the parish: St Vincent de Paul Society, Men’s Club, Council of Catholic Women, Knights of Columbus, and others that I may have failed to mention.
I want to make a special mention of the satisfaction I derived from celebrating a Christmas vigil mass at the Historic St. Peter Church, the first in twenty-five years! I’m filled with gratitude to men and women who worked behind the scenes to make such a special celebration possible. Thanks to Michael Checco and the choir, and St. Michael’s Guard. I hope to do
it again next Christmas!
I am grateful for all the Christmas gifts I received from you: parish societies, families, and individuals. You made it possible for me to get away this past week on a retreat/mission. Our Father in heaven will reward your generosity. I extend to you the promise of Jesus Christ, the Father’s Only Begotten Son: “whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42).
In His Joy,
Fr. Alayode, OP
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