Lectionary Catechesis: OT 2A, January 15, 2017
The Sacrament of Baptism is so central to our Christian identify, that the Church has a second Sunday (when the Baptism of Our Lord is celebrated on a Sunday) in a row to emphasize this and increase our understanding. CCC 536 and 713 may be the two key passages. At the same time Baptism is a multifaceted diamond in our lives. A conversation on reconciliation and sin may also be informative and compelling for our faith to grow. Baptism leads to the service of evangelization. A secondary theme this Sunday is the necessary presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, which enables us to bear the fruits of the Spirit. This Spirit vivifies the Church. At the beginning of the new year, this may be a good weekend to take the “temperature” of the Spirit in personal or parish life. Thirdly, there is the will of God.
OT 2 A Lectionary Catechesis