Scripture is forever changed for me. The sites where Jesus was born, walked, preached, died, and rose are imprinted in my being since traveling to Israel on a pilgrimage last October. Now, when reading the bible, I remember the privilege of actually seeing and touching these sites. I recall the smells, sounds, and feelings that consumed me there.

Our Church calendar recently celebrated the Solemnity of the Baptism of Jesus. The Gospel reading (Matthew 3:13-17) told of Jesus’ request to be baptized by John in the Jordan River. John encouraged followers to ask God for forgiveness for their sins and symbolically washed those sins away.

But Jesus was sinless and didn’t need the baptism John offered. Instead, Jesus insisted on this baptism to “fulfill all righteousness.” The baptism by John lead to Jesus’ baptism by the Holy Spirit and the revelation of his divinity.

Scripture says that after Jesus was baptized by John, the heavens were opened for him. The Spirit of God descended upon him like a dove. And a voice came from the heavens, and said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Through this event, the Three in One, the Trinity–the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–were revealed simultaneously. It also foreshadowed the forgiveness that would be extended to all humanity through Jesus’ crucifixion.

On that pilgrimage to Israel, I was able to wade in that very same sacred water where Jesus was baptized. The narrow, muddy Jordan River isn’t much to look at, but knowing that Jesus was submerged in it and the Trinitarian event that occured there, was incredibly moving. The experience was a blessing for which I’m most grateful.

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The Baptism of Jesus is remembered wih the the First Luminous Mystery of the Rosary. You can easily pray the rosary with the book, The Rosary Prayer by Prayer.

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Join me and other family caregivers at my next presentations. Registration is helpful to the staff, so please do so, if possible.
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Tuesday, January 21, “The Alzheimer’s Spouse,” 5:30-6pm Registration and Dinner, 6-7pm Seminar, Arden Courts of West Orange, 510 Prospect Ave, West Orange, NJ, 973.736.3100
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Wednesday, January 22, “Navigating Alzheimer’s as the Family Caregiver,” 5:30-6pm Registration, 6-7pm Seminar, Arden Courts of Whippany, 18 Eden Lane, Whippany, NJ, 973.581.1800
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Thursday, January 23, “Navigating Alzheimer’s as the Family Caregiver,” 5:30-6pm Registration, 6-7pm Seminar, Arden Courts of Wayne, 800 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne, NJ. 973-942.5600

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Wednesday, February 12, 2020, “The Alzheimer’s Spouse,” 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Registration, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Seminar, Arden Courts of Largo, 300 Highland Avenue, Largo, FL 33770, 727.559.8411