Monday Afternoon, January 11, 2021
What Does Christmas Have to do With Baptism?
The baptism of Jesus is intrinsically related to the general Christmas message: God became human like us so that we humans can become divine and do godly things.
Jesus did not need baptism - he accepted it so that anyone who wishes to be his follower would be baptized. It is in our baptism that we adopt or receive the effect of Christmas - that is to say, when we are born again into Christ, we become divine and do godly things. Therefore, our celebration of the baptism of the Lord is de facto a celebration of Christmas – both are one and the same reality.
During our baptism, certain things were done to us to explain the meaning of our baptism. Most importantly, we were anointed with the oil called Sacred Chrism, and these words were spoken to us: “… just as Jesus was anointed priest, prophet, and king, so may you too be anointed.”
These three make up the identity of the Church and of every Christian. These three characters of Jesus Christ are inherited by the Church. By virtue of baptism, every Christian inherits those three characters of the Church – priest or priestess, prophet or prophetess, and king or queen so to speak. To live a godly life means to live as a priest, a prophet, and a royal.
So how are these characteristics of Jesus Christ realized or experienced in and by the Church? First of all, like Jesus Christ, the Church is Priestly. A priest is one who leads a community to worship and sacrifice. Jesus is a priest: he taught us to sacrifice by sacrificing himself for our sakes – he gave his life. The Church is priestly when it leads Christians to the sacrifice of the Eucharist – the Mass, our worship, or the Liturgy. So, it is in our worship or liturgy that we experience and promote the priestly character of Christ.
Second, like Jesus Christ, the Church is Prophetic. A prophet is one who speaks in the stead of God – God’s spokesperson. The prophets of the bible like Isaiah in our first reading begin their prophecy by saying “thus says the Lord” (Isaiah 42:1). Jesus was prophetic because he not only spoke God’s word, but he is the Word of God itself. The Church is prophetic when it teaches people to know God in Christ and to demonstrate God’s word with both their words and action. Every baptized Christian inherits this prophetic character of Christ through the Church. We experience this character of Christ in all the faith formation and on-going learning in which we participate.
Third, like Jesus Christ, the Church is Royal – kingly, queenly, or divine. To be royal is to be godly, to be magnanimous, justly, gracious, and kind. People look up to a royal for both benevolence and example. However, while worldly royals are served, Jesus Christ gave us godly royalty: he was called the “sun of justice”, a royal who served others, rather than being served by others. All baptized Christians are invited to live in service to others. The Church experiences the royal character of Christ through all the in-reach and outreach ministries. The royal character of Jesus Christ defines our morality: What is good is what Jesus would do; what is not good is what Jesus would not do.
If you want to seriously experience the spiritual effect of Christmas, I suggest you look at these three areas of your baptism: Are you being priestly – worshipping, praying, and sacrificing for others? Are you constantly learning and developing your understanding and love of Christ? Are you serving with justice, sharing your time, talent, and treasure with others – the Church, and persons beyond your relatives?
If you are baptized in the Church, here is your opportunity once again, to assess how you are spending this precious gift of Christmas. With today’s celebration, Christmas is translated into the meaning of our baptism – our true and adopted identity as godly humans. Therefore, Christmas has everything to do with your baptism!
Fr. Kwame
Jesus Boost Podcast
Tune in to Lisa's latest episode,
"Words of Wisdom", for help with discernment.
This may assist those who are feeling lost after the raid on the nation's Capitol.
"Words of Wisdom", for help with discernment.
This may assist those who are feeling lost after the raid on the nation's Capitol.
Be inspired and empowered each week! Jesus Boost invites you to connect with and tap into the infinite strength and unconditional love of God, available to everyone. There is so much beauty, joy, and power in knowing you are never alone and that Jesus is by your side on this journey. Jesus Boost is your reminder with honest, insightful commentary about modern-day situations, supported by scripture and words of wisdom from renowned leaders. Come away with a fresh perspective, a smile, and a wonderful, unique spiritual lift to help you greet life with renewed hope and strength.
2020 Giving Tree Project Wrap-Up!
Click here (or on the above picture) to view
the results of this year's successful
Giving Tree project!
More pictures are also included.
This evening, Fr. Kwame will be the first presenter in our new three month series about reading and understanding the Bible.
On February 8th, the Franciscan University will make a presentation on this topic.
Finally, on March 8th, Bishop Barron,will be reading Genesis.
Please mark your calendars and join many of your fellow parishioners for these three presentations.
Jan
11
Men of Faith Monthly Meeting
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might be going.
Monday, January 11th, 2021, at 7:00 PM
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Telephones Can Dial
+1 669 900 6833
Meeting ID: 831 4343 5252
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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83143435252?pwd=MXZuNEhvdm1YREVjanBDcVl6K3Fadz09
Meeting ID: 831 4343 5252
Passcode: kFPV6t
Telephones Can Dial
+1 669 900 6833
Meeting ID: 831 4343 5252
Passcode: 416067
Questions?
Jan
12
COME and See on ZOOM
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Adult Faith Formation Zoom Meeting
"COME AND SEE"
We welcome all who are interested in walking with Jesus
Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
This Week's Topic:
This Week's Topic:
STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH
Each meeting lasts about 40 minutes and includes a brief discussion on a topic basic to the Catholic faith. You don't have to go to one meeting to be able to go to another. The meeting format will accommodate discussion, so please bring your questions.
If you have a friend or family member who wants to learn more about the Catholic faith we invite you all to “come and see”.
To Join Zoom Meeting, Click HERE
Meeting ID: 321 832 6812
Password: Jesus2020
Meeting ID: 321 832 6812
Password: Jesus2020
We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information, contact
Daniel Goodman at gotfordtires@gmail.com.
For more information, contact
Daniel Goodman at gotfordtires@gmail.com.
All are welcome
to tune in!
to tune in!
Questions:
Janet Schott
925-373-9346
or
Cindy Kline
925-724-7636
View Our
PRESENTATION SCHEDULE
PRESENTATION SCHEDULE
Jan
14
WINGS on ZOOM
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This Week With WINGS
Thursday, January 14th at 9:45 AM on ZOOM
Thursday, January 14th at 9:45 AM on ZOOM
Presenter:
Margaret Riley
Margaret Riley
Topic:
Spiritual Direction, and
Spiritual Direction, and
the Role of a Spiritual Director
in Your Faith Life
Margaret earned a Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from the Franciscan School of Theology, Berkeley, California (FST/GTU) in 2004. She became certified as a Spiritual Director in 2008 via the Mercy Center in Burlingame, California. While her Spiritual roots are Christian in the Roman Catholic Church, she enjoys companioning spiritual seekers from any tradition, or no tradition, in her practice as a Spiritual Director and retreat presenter.
Join Zoom Meeting
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Telephones Can Dial:
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Jan
18
Monday Evening - WALKING WITH PURPOSE on Zoom
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Walking with Purpose
Bible Study Program
Opening Your Heart
by Lisa Brenninkmeyer
Questions? Contact:
Angela Layton
602-799-6648
wwpstcharleslivermore@gmail.com
In case you missed Sunday's Mass...
Los Angeles Religious Education
RE CONGRESS 2021
Proclaim the Promise will be virtual this year. Sessions will begin on Thursday, February 18th through Sunday, February 21st, 2021. The cost will be $35 to participate and sessions include keynote speakers, liturgies, workshops, concerts, intercultural prayer experiences, and even Sacred Space.
Mary Fair notes that we will now be able to attend from the comfort of our own homes without making the long drive to and from Anaheim. Mary has attended faithfully for over 15 years and considers this event as her annual Catholic rebirth.
It is safe to assume that the Archdiocese of LA will make this a meaningful and spiritually uplifting experience. Mary states that she always learns a lot and is inspired every year by dynamic, thoughtful, and well-informed speakers. She is also certain that this year's concerts will be wonderful, too.
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Community
1315 Lomitas Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550
