BAPTISM OF OUR LORD

 Have you ever seen a dove descend?  Have you ever had a bird land on you?  Falconers extend their gloved hand, and their trained birds return to them.  Some zoos have aviaries where visitors can go inside and experience contact with birds at feeding time.  In some tropical places, for a price, the bird keepers will place a big, colorful parrot on your shoulder.  It’s a great photo opportunity, but still a little bit unnerving to have such a big creature beak to cheek.

Today’s Gospel paints the powerful image of a dove descending from heaven.  The bird’s wings open and close as it descends in heavenly light and comes to land directly on Jesus.  How stunning that silent moment must have been until it was eclipsed by the great celestial voice that declared, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am pleased.”

                                                                        Deacon Dick Folger