Our Lady ​of Mount Virgin Parish

Roman Catholic Church

Garfield, NJ

My Friends:

How quickly the Season has passed! It was a joy-filled Season, as we all lived out the Gospel Message throughout the Advent Season into Christmas and celebrating the Incarnation as a Holy Family under the patronage of the Blessed Mother. Always coming together in search of the presence of Jesus made manifest to us over and over again in countless ways - and above all in the Eucharist, which leads us to this celebration of His Baptism at the age of thirty in the Jordan River by His cousin John the Baptist - who prepared the way for Him!

It is a great day for us to reflect upon the Sacrament of Baptism; of our own Baptism, whether we recall it or not, depending upon the age in which we were baptized. The Baptism of the Lord was the beginning of His public ministry - His service to the people of God as an example to all people throughout the ages. Baptism is not just a moment. It is not just a day to dress up an infant or adolescent or adult and celebrate with a party, which sadly becomes the focus for many people. It is the beginning of a totally new way of life into the LIFE OF CHRIST - into HIS BODY - LIVING AND TRUE. It is a life of active participation in the mystery of God. It is being ONE with The FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT as we are baptized into HIS LIFE, DEATH AND RESURRECTION, which is an ongoing event as we LIVE IN HIM. We are to imitate HIM who created us and fashioned us and calls us always to a richer and more abundant life by being ever present to one another despite race, color, creed, preference, etc.... It involves seeing Christ in the needs of the world around us; in the cry of the poor, the sick and the needy, the down trodden and homeless, as well as celebrating the countless blessings which are ours to share who are so blessed.

Baptism is a way of life. It involves as a people of faith - maintaining a relationship through daily prayer and worship of our awesome Triune God and reception of the Sacraments and partaking of the Eucharist and then LIVING IT OUT!!!! Faith without action is useless! USELESS!!!!!

As we move into ordinary time remember that we are extraordinary people because of our intimate relationship to Jesus in the Eucharist! God bless you all and remember that I am,

Loving you always,

Fr. Peter