Podcasts

Does Jesus Need to be Baptized?

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Matthew 3:13-15 describes Jesus’ baptism. It is interesting to ask, “Does Jesus need to be baptized?. After all, He is completely without sin. He is God!”

Some commentaries say that when He enetered the Jordan River, He baptized the water. He consecrated it, made the baptismal waters holy and pure for us. I like that.

And I like to see John’s humble deference to Jesus in this passage, “I need to be baptized by you, and you’re coming to me?!” Yet, we also see Jesus’s humble submission to be obedient to God’s will, “Allow it for now.”

Isn’t that how we are to be as disciples, humble and obedient to God’s will? How do we come to know the will of God? By spending time with Him. Spending time in prayer and in worship. Spending time with Him in reading the Bible and in adoration. Doing this deepens our relationship with Jesus and strengthens our belief in Him as the Son of God. We come to believe more fervently the truth of God’s love and provision for us. We can’t help but to praise God as we read in Psalm 29:

“Give to the LORD, you sons of God, give to the LORD glory and
praise, Give to the LORD the glory due his name.”

Embracing the truth of God’s love and living in humble obedience to His will is being a good Disciple. Living this way builds a legacy that impacts our family and the community for good. Living this way transforms the world! St. John Paul II said, “As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.” What a legacy!

Photo Credit: Robert Davis

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Epiphany

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Epiphany – when we celebrate the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem to meet Jesus. We did this on Sunday 1-4-26, but in New Orleans where I am, we celebrate Three Kings Day on 1-6. This is the date that king cakes are perpetually available in every bakery in town. Watch out waistline!

On Epiphany Sunday, we read in Ephesians 3:6 that we are co-heirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise of Christ Jesus through the Gospel. Do you grasp the reality of that?! We are heirs of God. Our baptism and faith make us members of God’s family, and so co-heirs with Jesus. And what do heirs receive? An inheritance.

We have the promise of Jesus that we will receive an inheritance, the greatest inheritance – eternal life! Oh. My. Goodness. It’s like winning the lottery.

What a gift. Like the gifts the Magi brought to Jesus. And what a legacy the Magi left for us. They were in a foriegn country, listening for what God would say to them, watching the signs for God’s message. And when they saw God’s sign in the star, they acted. They stepped out in faith and followed that star, they knew not where. But they trusted and acted.

Isn’t that how we are supposed to be. Listnening and watching for God, trusting Him and acting. What a great way to build our legacy. Let the Magi’s example motivate us to think, speak, act, pray, give, and worship in a new way this year.

Happy New Year and Happy Epiphany.

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Are You the One?

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

John the Baptist gives the best example of legacy. His life’s work was focused on Jesus. John wanted his followers to come to know Jesus better. So, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “are you the one?”

Here he was in prison, as we read in Matthew 11, in dire straits, and he asked ‘are you the one’? In self-concern, he could have asked something like, “Hey Jesus – cousin – can you help me get out of this place.” But instead, his concern was for pointing people to Jesus. Jesus answered indirectly, telling John’s disciples, “Go tell John what you see and hear.”

What would John the Baptist hear about you? Would he learn of your kindness and generosity, your efforts to bring about the kingdom of God? Are you the one others see feeding hungry people and helping those in need with clothing and housing? Are you the one loved ones follow when you go to visit those in prison and nursing homes, and when you welcome strangers? Would he hear of children from families of lesser means being helped with private school tuition?

When we embrace the truth of how blessed we are, how can we not respond in these ways? Rejoice always in the Lord’s imminent coming into our lives. Tell what you see and hear of God’s kingdom right where you are. Trust and give and be an active part in growing His kingdom this Christmas and always.

St. Teresa of Calcutta asks, “At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God’s own love and concern.”

                                                                                                                                                                                      Photo Credit: Robert Davis

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Who is Your King?

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

OnThe Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe you might ask yourself, who is your king? As Christians, we know that Jesus is King. But, what a strange way for Him to exercise His Kingship–at least to our human, worldly understanding of what a king is.

We see Jesus’s Kingship made powerful in His humility as He allowed Himself to be crucified. His throne is a wooden cross; His crown is made of thorns. We see His influence brought to bear through self-sacrifice. Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; but not my will – your will be done. We see His leadership displayed in His mercy and forgiveness. Father forgive them, They know not what they do.

As Disciples, we are to emulate Jesus. We are to be obedient to God’s word. We are to be humble, other-centered, and self-sacrificing. We are to let Jesus be King, to rule in our hearts. 

Who rules your heart? What and/or who has power over you? Who is your King? In our society, it seems our king can be found at the mall or on Amazon. It seems too often that we are more concerned for prestige and image. It seems making more money drives us more than our loving care for our neighbors in need. 

As good stewards, we know that Jesus is King. So may we go forth and imitate Jesus. May we humbly put God first in our lives and demonstrate that by providing for the poor.

What would your legacy look like if you truly let God be King over you? How would that affect your daily decisions and your interactions with others? What impact could you have on your family and friends if Jesus ruled your heart?

                                                                                                                                                                                 Photo Credit: Robert Davis

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St. Paul is Our Model

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

We read in 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 how St. Paul is our model. He said, “We instruct you, brothers, in the name of [our] Lord Jesus Christ, to shun any brother who conducts himself in a disorderly way and not according to the tradition they received from us. For you know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us.”

It is interesting how St. Paul had to point out to the Thessalonians – and so to us – that he did not act in a disorderly way. He wasn’t self-righteous. He didn’t feel entitled. It made me think of how we are today, of all the ranting we hear on talk radio, podcasts, and reality TV. How do you react to the news of the day? There’s plenty to get riled up about – war, terrorism, pandemics, political vitriol. Does that mean we have a right to act in a disorderly way? Do bad news and ideological differences give us license to yell, scream, rant and rave?

No. Consider Paul’s message. He instructs us to imitate him and he offers us an excellent model to follow. We know from his letters that he worked tirelessly for the wellbeing of the communities he evangelized. He rightfully could have demanded payment for his work. Instead, he asked only that we embrace the Gospel truth of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is our best example. Only once did Jesus rail against the practices of His day – when he overturned the money-changers’ tables. Otherwise, He did not speak out against the government; He spoke to individuals’ hearts. 

St. Paul offers a great example of seeking first the kingdom of God. How can we imitate his example of putting God first in our lives? He shows us how to persevere through all the drudgery of daily trials as we strive to build God’s kingdom like he did. 

How can you imitate Paul’s model and build your legacy of kindness and generosity for the good of your family and community? Can you strive like Paul to honor God in all that you say and do. St. Anthony is credited with saying, “Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak.” 

                                                                                                                                                                                     Photo Credit: Robert Davis

 

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