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From the Desk of Father Murphy
By Father Joseph Murphy | January 11, 2008
Dear Holy Spirit Community of Faith,
People argue about why Jesus needed to be baptized since He didn’t sin. Here is my opinion of what was going on as Jesus went out to be baptized by John the Baptizer. Jesus was a realist. He knew that when you speak the truth often people will attack you – the more truthful, the more vicious the attack. Jesus needed a great deal of courage to begin His public ministry. Could it be that Jesus felt supported by John (His relative) and John’s followers? Jesus valued the support He received from John’s community. Jesus saw people changing their lives after they were baptized by John. Jesus needed support to walk a new path in His life – a public path. The event of Jesus’ baptism gave Him the strength He needed; because not only did he feel supported by John and his followers, but He was also affirmed by God the Father as He came up from the water. The Scripture writer describes it this way, “The heavens were opened for Him and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon Him. And a voice came from the heavens saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” He now had the courage to start His public life. He was immediately thrust into the desert to be tempted.
We, too, are asked to lead new paths in our lives. It takes great courage for us to walk a new way – the Way of Jesus. We, too, need the affirmation by God. But for most of us this affirmation comes through family and friends. We all need to be affirmed. If we don’t find we are affirmed by others, we find it almost impossible to go on.
As we begin this New Year with all its possibilities, please reach out to tell those close to you how beloved they are. It meant so much to Jesus; and it means so much to us.
Blessings for the New Year,
Rev. Joseph V. Murphy
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