I awoke this morning and took a deep breath… What a wonderful opportunity, the beginning of a new day!  One thing I really enjoy is a new beginning.  Last Sunday was the first Sunday of a new year.  It was an occasion marked, for many, by New Year resolutions! It is seen as a chance to start over.  It is a time to try to do things better than we did last year.

Today, we hear about another new beginning.  It is not a new beginning for God who planned for our salvation from the beginning of time but it is a new beginning in the life of Christ!

The readings on this Baptism of Christ Sunday speak of God’s creation and ongoing care for it. God’s divine voice is praised in the psalm, speaks into all creation in Genesis, and is heard by Jesus at his baptism. In spite of the voice being heard only by Jesus, at his baptism, the message of Jesus’ messianic character is clear in Mark’s gospel. Paul, in baptizing disciples in Ephesus, focuses on the gift of new language as a significant outcome.

But… what about our new beginnings? Each time we read the word of God we are given the opportunity of accepting God’s call again. Each time we confess and are absolved of our sins we are give the opportunity of a new beginning. How do we respond to the Divine Voice calling us to new directions in our lives, in our communities and in our church?

Blessings