As we come to the end of the Christmas season we now begin the new year with the first week of Ordinary Time in the Church’s liturgical calendar. And it is appropriate that we begin with Jesus getting baptized by John the Baptist at the Jordan River. John the Baptist, the voice crying out in the wilderness, is confronted by the Word made flesh. The one who baptizes with water is approached by the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. And John protests: “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?”  Jesus’ reply reveals everything: “Let...

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