Jan182026
Listen to the Homily
Read the Homily

Baptized by water and the Holy Spirit.

We all know that baptism by water is an initiation. Everyone likes a new start and a fresh beginning. Who does not enjoy a clean slate? That is why we love the Red Sox on opening day. We are excited to start a new job with higher pay and a great boss. We are thrilled to have been accepted into a new Master’s program at a prestigious university. We are thrilled to make the football team and sign the contract. How bad can that be? But then it happens. We throw two interceptions, are benched, lose the first two games of the season, and the coach is yelling at us all the time? Do we still have heart, do we still work hard and learn. What do we do when our first grade in the master’s program is a C+? Do we work harder, learn from the mistakes, and progress? If we do, then we have spirit.

When I first worked for my father, I was all excited about learning to build a house. I bought a hammer and a holster, and I was ready to go. There were two workers in the company. One was in a state of perpetual happiness. He was thrilled to be able to get up every morning and build things instead of working behind a desk. He bought coffee and taught us some of the tricks of the trade. The other guy was the most cantankerous man I ever met. If you made a mistake, he would yell and humiliate you. My cousin was so mad at him that he took his tool bucket and filled it with dirt. Needless to say, he never had to work with him again. HE worked with the happy guy. I had to work with the grumpy guy every day. I stood there thinking about the options: get free coffee and compliments, or get yelled at all day. It didn’t matter to me. I was always productive, always wanting to learn the skills. That is the spirit.

When Jesus began his ministry, you would think, “How hard will it be.” Jesus has all knowledge and all power. He knew how to speak encouragingly and lift people’s spirits. Still, he was hated and met opposition. They threw him out of his hometown, they arrested him, and put him on trial. There were nails, thorns, and crucifixion. You would think that Jesus would have thrown in the towel and said, “I am out of here.” But he didn’t. When he was baptized, the Spirit descended on him. The baptism of water gets us to the start line; the baptism of the Spirit that Christ gives us gets us to the finish line, no matter the difficulties and obstacles.

Back to All Homilies