Word to the Wise
Saturday, December 30, 2006 - Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
[1 John 2:12-15 and Luke 2:36-40]And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
If the prophetess, Anna, were present at St. Philip Neri Church in Kenner, LA, on this day, she'd have the opportunity to meet Lucy Danielle Baker whom I will baptize. Anna could no doubt be excited about her intuition of Jesus and his importance. Indeed it is this same Jesus with whom Lucy Danielle will be identified in the sacrament of Baptism. I think Anna would be excited about Lucy too. I know that her parents and grandparents and family and Godparents and many honorary "uncles and aunts" are all excited about this event. She will be brought to the temple of God to fulfill the prescriptions of the law. The Christmas season is so much about the birth of Christ. Baptism is another form of that birth. Lucy Danielle will be "reborn" in Christ as St. Paul speaks of baptism in Romans 6. The great Dominican mystic, Meister Eckhart, once wrote, "Of what value is it to me that Christ was born so many years ago if he is not reborn daily in my heart?" In baptizing Lucy Danielle, the birth of Christ and her birth INTO Christ are celebrated together. It is an ultimate Christmas gift. AMEN